Rumours are swirling TV land that ITV in the UK is planning to launch a brand new TV talent show centred around hit West End musical Mamma Mia!
The ITV show will be based on its “Any Dream Will Do” entertainment format, in which Andrew Lloyd Webber searched for a star for his revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The success of that show spawned further TV series including “How do you Solve a Problem like Maria?” where Lloyd Webber searched for a star for his Palladium revival of The Sound of Music; ,” I’d Do Anything”, searching for a Nancy for Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Oliver!; and “Superstar”, in which Lloyd Webber cast the lead for his revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.
The eight-part series will see a panel of judges and the audience at home select the next stars of Mamma Mia! the musical, from a group of hopeful contestants.
The smash-ht stage musical based on the songs of ABBA also announced today that it is extending its run at the Novello Theatre until September 2023, and that a new cast is joining the show this October.
The TV talent show will be produced by Thames, part of TV production giant Fremantle, which also produces Britain’s Got Talent.
A TV insider spoke to the Sun newspaper (see link below), saying that: “ITV are clearly riding the wave of renewed interest in all things ABBA, not to mention a renewed interest in hit formats of old. This has been seen as an obvious choice for a reboot for years, but producers were waiting for the right musical and right moment.”
The new talent show is riding on an ABBA high at the moment, with Mamma Mia! still going strong in the West End, plus ABBA’s extraordinary new show ABBA Voyage attracting a huge amount of interest.
The TV talent show is rumoured to be airing on ITV next year.
Book tickets to Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre in London
Book tickets to ABBA Voyage in London
