The cast of Mamma Mia this week! The troupe has started rehearsals for the musical, with Anouk Maas (38) from Tilburg playing the lead role. And this did not go unnoticed, because there were so many visitors. None other than ABBA singer and composer Björn Ulvaeus himself was there to give Anouk his approval. “Wonderful. He’s truly a legend.”
Usually a quiet entry in the first official days. The fact that the great ABBA star was suddenly present was – to say the least – a bit of a surprise. “He wrote this show and all the songs. They are his,” says Anouk, who has previously appeared in Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden, Expeditie Robinson and musicals such as Annie, Fame and Saturday Night Fever, among others.
What is very special is that Björn himself gave his approval to the cast. And thus also to the leading role of Anouk. She will soon play Kate, the wife of the brilliant restaurateur Nikos. A role that she will soon play even better thanks to Björn’s visit. He followed the rehearsals from a distance, but closely. “He gave some clues here and there. For example about the voice, or the timing, or he gave advice about a certain tone.”
However, it certainly wasn’t all serious business. “We just had a conversation,” Anouk laughs. “And I think I speak for everyone when I say that his presence means a lot. We can ask him anything now.”
“ABBA is an empire. The music is so catchy and so popular.”
There were a lot of questions, Anouk said. “ABBA is an empire. The music is so catchy and so popular. It’s amazing that I can sing that every night. It’s going to be a real spectacle.”
Back to those songs then. Because no matter how catchy and famous they are, there’s still a pleasant surprise for Anouk every now and then. “Everyone knows Waterloo and Dancing Queen, but when I Kissed the Master, for example, that was new to me. Whereas now I really think that’s a really beautiful song.”
Fortunately, because she will hear and sing it a lot. The actors will work hard in the near future. Mamma Mia! Party. In fact, for Anouk, this represents a double effort. “I’m also shooting another movie soon, so that’s a bit of a coincidence.” A bit of a distraction during Mamma Mia.
You might also find this interesting:
Premiere of Anouk Maas from Tilburg as Belle in Beauty and the Beast
Leo Alkimad and Anouk Maas fight for the honor of Brabant in Robinson’s Expedition.