| Both cinemas have been selling out and weeks after it was first shown people are still flocking to see the love story based around the songs of Abba.
One of the reasons for the success is that people are going several times.
And the crowds are set to continue with the sing-along version due soon.
Batman: The Dark Knight may have been receiving the lion’s share of attention with record-breaking box office receipts elsewhere, but in Dundee there is no disputing the cinematic phenomenon.
It seems that local cinemagoers like to have a song in their heart and a twinkle in their toes, because while there have been a number of big hits over the past couple of months, nothing has come even close to having the impact of this Abbatastic musical comedy.
Based on the stage musical of the same name, Mamma Mia is not a biography of the Swedish four-piece, rather a love story based around some of the band’s biggest hits.
Odeon Dundee general manager Kim Thorne thinks she knows why it has been such a success.
“It’s a happy film,” she said. “You leave the cinema with a big smile on your face. Everyone who speaks to us afterwards says they have had a great time. What’s been amazing is that Mamma Mia has appealed to everyone. We have had people of all ages, from groups of school children to clubs for older people. Not many films have that kind of broad appeal. It is one of those rare movies that a family can attend and every member can say honestly they have enjoyed it.”
Mamma Mia was one of a slew of blockbuster films released over the past few months, but while it was expected to be a success, no-one was quite ready for the impact it would have.
“We expected it to be popular,” continued Kim. “But the sheer scale of the success has surprised us all. We were showing it on several screens, which is not unusual, but what was was the fact it has been consistently selling out, not only in the evening but in the afternoon too. There have been a lot of people coming back to see it twice and more, a clear sign that a film is loved.
“Even now, several weeks down the line, it is still selling out regularly. It’s on just one screen now, but even so, we wouldn’t normally expect this kind of attendance so far down the line.” It’s not going to die down anytime soon either. Next Friday, the Odeon starts showing the sing-along version of Mamma Mia, which will undoubtedly have people coming back and stretching their vocal chords.
“If you look in the cinema when the film is playing, people are singing and clapping their hands. They are not quite dancing in the aisles yet, but the sing-along version might lead to that.”
It’s been a similar situation along the Kingsway at Cineworld. Operations manager John Playfoot said, “When we first heard Mamma Mia was opening we thought it would be average for a blockbuster, but we have all been blown away by how successful it has been.
“I’ve spoken to customers who have come to see it 12 or 13 times and that is unheard of.
“Our most popular film in Dundee has been Casino Royale, but Mamma Mia could overtake it.
“Even now it’s still selling out. We rarely hear of that weeks down the line. We’re showing the sing-along version soon, so that will undoubtedly kick it all off again.” |
