Craymer met director and playwright Catherine Johnson in 1995, who then after much persuasion jumped into the project and wrote the book of Mamma Mia! It tells the story of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise where bride-to-be Sophie sends out letters to three men she believed would lead her to her estranged father. Sophie's mother Donna is then caught off guard to settle issues in her past she chose to put aside in order to raise her daughter well and lead her dream taverna.

"I think one of the few artists whose catalog of songs holds a plethora of emotions to tell a story is ABBA," Barker says. "The music, you'd think it's quite simple but to actually unpick each, it's quite complex. It's ahead of its time!" Crowder adds. "They are just iconic tunes that take you to nostalgic places of your life. It's the massive love for ABBA's music that makes it resonates decades after," he further says.

How did you first experience the music of ABBA and what is the most fun aspect of the musical for you?

Daniel Crowder: I was born in 1974 and that's when ABBA won in the Eurovision with "Waterloo". I guess that's the song I relate to, and working with these guys, Tamlyn and Matthew, is beyond words. We make sure we have a great show every night and we couldn't do it without each other.

Tamlyn Henderson: I'm Australian and ABBA's music was big in a few Aussie films in the '90s like Muriel's Wedding and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I think that's the first time that I really heard the music and started enjoying it. Working with everyone on stage with these guys and singing some incredible music adds flavour to the show's comedy.

Matthew Rutherford: I was also born in 1974 and my mum and dad, we used to do roadtrips that take about four hours. I remember listening to "Super Trooper" and hearing the harmonies there, for me as a young boy, inspired me to learn to play the piano, sing, and enjoy music. One of my fun bits of the show is right at the very end where the dads get to reveal something (winks).

Lucy May Barker: My parents have ABBA Gold CD and I remember playing it with my walkman. I enjoyed it as a kid and furthermore, I get to hear it in weddings, cafés... It's amazing to be singing these songs that you grew up with. I remember singing it for the first time onstage and it's kind of surreal.

Phillip Ryan: My dad was the biggest ABBA fan and we have a record player downstairs. In the cabinet, there's always an ABBA record one after another. The first one I've heard probably is "Mamma Mia". It's just in your psyche, it's always in there.

'Mamma Mia!', shapes women empowerment in the '90s theatre industry

Mamma Mia! was first directed by Phyllida Lloyd, and altogether Craymer, Johnson, and Lloyd break ground in the theatre industry. Furthermore, the musical became the standard for jukebox musicals that came after it for being the first of its kind. "It was unusual, if not unheard of, for three women to be the collaborative creative force behind what was to become such a commercial success," Craymer says. "I think it readdressed the balance and had a great nurturing effect on the production"

Furthermore, the musical features three strong women in the story, Donna and the Dynamos. "The characters are completely different—slightly bossy, a bit chaotic, extremely practical, and very high maintenance! We have a lot of laughs about who is who in real life, and as time goes by, it's a little worrying that we have become even more like those characters on stage," Craymer says.

Meanwhile White, Anker, and Swift were strangers when they first met at the production. Nevertheless, they easily clicked as if they are Donna and the Dynamos whose deep friendship is worth over 20 years. "I didn't think that we needed to prepare so much, we just got to get to know each other so well," White says. "Before the rehearsals started, we went out together to the ABBA exhibition, had lunch and then a drink. We just knew that we'd get on immediately."

"It just grew from there. Because we're like-minded people and just clicked!" says Anker. "And even we've been together for five, six months now, we are still finding out things about each other," Swift adds. "There will be moments and scenes where one of us would do something different and our reactions would be genuine (laughs)."

Mamma Mia!'s story of mother-and-daughter relationship as well as the romance the summer island has brought upon the supporting characters is as timeless as the songs of ABBA that has now reached younger audiences with its touring and film versions. Over 60 million people worldwide has already seen this phenomenal musical.

"I think the show draws in more and more people because there's something in the show that everyone can identify with. Different characters of varying ages and lots of stories of friendship and love. I believe the music of ABBA transcends generations. We look out at the finale and we can see everyone, every age, having a wonderful time singing and dancing along with us." White says.

The MAMMA MIA! International Tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, Stage Entertainment and NGM, and is presented in Manila by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Ticketworld and Concertus Manila. Tickets are available at ticketworld.com.ph