Samantha Paterson’s Next Big Swing
How Brisbane’s most energetic independent producer plans to turn ABBA’s songbook into a fully fledged night of musical theatre magic.
When Brisbane theatremaker Samantha Paterson talks about ABBA, her eyes do that dangerous thing creative people’s eyes do: they sparkle with intent. “This show is about capturing the feeling of ABBA: joy, heartbreak, humour, connection, nostalgia and letting each song come to life in a fresh, theatrical way,” she says, describing Thank You For The Music – The ABBA Show, the next offering from her recently launched company Paterson Productions.
Paterson is not content with another sequinned tribute concert. Instead, she is building what she calls “the most fabulous musical scrapbook of ABBA’s decades of magic,” where every number is a mini world of its own. Movement, lighting, costume, and vocal arrangements have been designed to give each song its own atmosphere — “like you’re flipping pages and finding a new memory on every spread.”
A scrapbook that sings
ABBA’s catalogue is sprawling, forty-odd singles, nine studio albums, four decades of cultural echo, so curating a running order that feels satisfying is no small task. Paterson embraced the challenge by balancing the nonnegotiable anthems (“Dancing Queen”, “Waterloo”) with what she affectionately calls “a few unexpected B-side gems.”
We knew we had to honour the hits, they’re iconic for a reason, but we also wanted to surprise audiences,” she explains. “Those lesser-known tracks change the colour of the night, give the artists something different to groove on, and show off ABBA’s incredible range.
The result is a set list that traces an emotional arc rather than a chronology: euphoric openers, intimate hearttuggers at the centre, and a finale built for collective euphoria. “Whether you’re a casual listener or you own every pressing on vinyl, we want you to feel like you’ve been on a journey,” Paterson says.
Queensland talent centrestage
One of the most striking facts about Thank You for the Music is that every artist onstage and behind the scenes hails from Brisbane or wider Queensland. For Paterson, whose previous venture, awardnominated Lynch & Paterson, introduced blockbuster productions of Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar to local audiences, the decision is philosophical as much as logistical.
“Brisbane has an incredible pool of talent, and there’s something powerful about creating a show with the community we live in,” she says. “Everyone brings their own stories and memories of ABBA into the room, and you can feel that shared identity spilling onto the stage.”
That community focus has fostered a rehearsal room described by cast members as “equal parts bootcamp and disco.” Laughter, impromptu danceoffs and a healthy dose of Swedish pop have become daily staples. “You can’t fake that energy,” Paterson grins. “Audiences will see it, hear it, and hopefully catch it.”
Lessons from spam and superstars
Paterson’s first two years steering her new company has been nothing if not eclectic: a riotous Monty Python’s Spamalot in November, followed by Andrew Lloyd Webber on Stage, an orchestral tribute concert timed for Mother’s Day. Those productions could hardly be more different, yet both feed directly into the DNA of Thank You for the Music.
“Spamalot taught us the value of silliness and surprise, of inviting the audience to feel like part of the action,” Paterson reflects. “The Lloyd Webber concert reminded us how powerful pure musical storytelling is, especially with a live orchestra. This ABBA project marries those two ideas, it’s polished, but never distant.”
Fresh, fearless, and full of joy
Paterson’s unofficial mantra, “fresh, fearless, full of joy”, manifests not only in artistic choices but also in how she builds teams. A particular point of pride on this production is the treatment of swings, the multitalented performers who cover multiple roles.
“In many shows swings are quietly essential but rarely spotlighted. We’ve made it a priority to empower them as the skilled, versatile professionals they are,” she says. “Watching them absorb complex material and hold the company together has been one of the most rewarding parts of this process. They’re the glue.”
Taking on ABBA at all, she insists, is a creative risk: “There are so many tributes out there, and audiences come with high expectations. We knew we had to lead with heart and trust that the joy would follow.”
The invitation
Thank You For The Music – The ABBA Show plays a limited season from 24 July at Twelfth Night Theatre Brisbane, promising ninety minutes of soaring harmonies, platform boots, and theatrical spectacle. For Paterson, it is both a salute to Sweden’s greatest pop export and a love letter to the songs that raised her.
ABBA wrote songs that make people feel seen, whether they’re dancing, grieving, or falling in love. Our job is to channel that spirit and give audiences a night they’ll remember, long after the glitter has settled.
If the track record of Paterson Productions is any indication, Brisbane is in for a sparkling, heartfelt celebration, one that proves, yet again, that the future of independent theatre in Queensland is shining brighter than ever, reflecting off a thousand mirrored disco balls.
Season Details
Thank You For The Music – The ABBA Show
Venue: Twelfth Night Theatre
Dates: 24-27th July 2025
Book tickets HERE.
