THE UK’s longest running Abba tribute band will be bringing some of the greatest pop songs ever written to life at the Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn, on Saturday.

Voulez Vous will also be sharing stories of the Swedish supergroup before getting the audience dancing in the aisles.

“We like to put a lot of the story on Abba into the show as well as their great music,” said Gary Birtles who is Bjorn in the show.

“We show some video clips and have some anecdotes which most people possibly won’t know about.”

But at the heart of the two-hour show are the songs including hits such Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia and Waterloo.

“I don’t think people realise how difficult Abba songs are to sing properly,” said Gary.

“You have got to be a really good singer to do them justice. For the girls particularly they have to have an incredible vocal range and the harmonies have got to be spot on.

“Abba were and indeed still are so popular that everyone knows their songs so you have got to put on a performance at every show.

“It’s a very energetic show. When you look at footage of Abba in concert you’ll see Bjorn and Benny leaping around the the girls never stop moving and we replicate that.”

In a bizarre coincidence just as Bjorn and Agnetha and Benny and Anni-Frid were married, so Gary and Lorrie Brown who is Agnetha and Denise Johnson and Phil Green - Voulez Vous’ Anni-Frid and Benny - are also couples.

“I think we’re getting on better than they did in the end of Abba,” joked Gary. Both original Abba couples ultimately divorced.

Although this will be the first time Voulez Vous have visited the Thwaites Empire Theatre, Lorrie is no stranger to the venue.

She has recently been voted as the UK’s number one Kate Bush tribute act for her show the Red Shoes which was at the theatre earlier this year.

“It’s a fantastic venue,” said Gary, “and we can’t wait to get everyone up singing along.

“Abba’s music means so much to people and we give everything to put on a show that lives up to their expectations.”

n Voulez Vous, Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn, Saturday, August 20.Details from 01254 685500.