by meg jorsh

Last updated 09:30, Saturday, 23 August 2008

ABBA fans were dancing in the aisles last night at Carlisle’s first sing-a-long screening of Hollywood hit Mamma Mia!.

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More than 80 devotees sang their hearts out to the smash hit musical at Vue cinema on Botchergate. With a stellar cast including Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, the film has already smashed box office records.

Dancing queen Natassia Gunn, 19, from Carlisle, said: “I think it’s amazing – this is the second time I’ve seen it. I’ve seen the stage show as well, so it was hard not to sing along the first time.”

Although some were shy at first, by the closing number everyone was on their feet. For fans less familiar with the lyrics, subtitles were provided.

Stu Mitchell, 18, from Carlisle, was one of few men at the show. He said: “Everyone loves Abba – it just makes you smile.”

But even he was touched by the soppier scenes. He added: “It was pretty bad, being in the cinema crying.”

For Linda Murray, 58, from Carlisle, the film had feel-good appeal. She said: “I think that’s what people need. Everything seems to be doom and gloom these days.”

The sing-a-long events will run alongside conventional screenings until August 28. Once word catches on, the organisers hope to see fans in fancy dress.

Vue duty manager Jen Pomphrey said: “We’d love it for people to come along dressed up. Of course, they can just sit and watch if they want. It’s fun to join in, though, and we’re very much encouraging it.”

More than 18,500 fans saw the film in Carlisle within a month of its release. At the height of Mamma Mia! mania, queues were regularly out the door.

She added: “The whole concept of Mamma Mia! has been really big across the country, and as a nation we love Abba.”