"Waterloo": The ABBA Musical Set at the 1815 Battle Reenactment

Waterloo is a jukebox musical built around the songs of ABBA, with a meta-theatrical premise: a present-day battle reenactment of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo becomes the backdrop for romantic entanglements.

Plot Overview

• Setting: Waterloo, Belgium — annual reenactment weekend.
• Characters: Catherine (a woman torn between two men), Napoleon Bonaparte (reënactor), Duke of Wellington (reënactor), plus ensemble of reënactors, tourists, locals.
• Conflict: Catherine's choice mirrors the historical battle—Napoleon (passion, chaos) vs. Wellington (order, restraint). The reenactment blurs with real emotion.

Music

20+ ABBA hits woven in: "Waterloo," "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "The Winner Takes It All," "Super Trouper," "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!," "Fernando," "SOS," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," etc. Arranged for theatrical storytelling.

Productions

• Original (2001): Stockholm (Swedish), then Copenhagen, Hamburg, Seoul.
• UK Tour (2004): English version.
• Not a long-running West End/Broadway staple like Mamma Mia! — more niche, European touring.

Historical Hook

The 1815 battle ended Napoleon's rule, reshaped Europe. The musical uses it as metaphor: everyone fights their own Waterloo (decisive personal confrontation).

Light, melodic, Euro-pop theatrical—ABBA fans enjoy the clever song integration; history buffs appreciate the setting.