Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth at the Mama Mia premiere (WENN image)

Hanks, Streep, Brosnan and Firth say Mamma Mia!

Tuesday, 1 July 2008

London's Leicester Square went Abba-tastic last night for the World Premiere of film musical Mamma Mia!

An array of the Swedish mega-group's songs blasted out as the film's stars Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan turned out for the premiere.

The film, featuring hit tunes sung by the cast including Colin Firth and Julie Walters, is an adaptation of the hit Abba Musical that has been dazzling theatregoers for the past ten years.

Firth said he found his role "delightful and mortifying", adding: ""Once I'd mastered the steps I just decided to have fun. I also realised I had never sung by myself before. I love singing but I've only really done it in the shower."

See all the pics from the Mamma Mia premiere and after party >

Meanwhile former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan admitted that audiences would "howl" with laughter at the film.

And who better to direct the film than acting legend Tom Hanks, who told admitted: "I did not realise how many Abba songs I know... I know them all."

Hundreds of fans crowded into Leicester Square as the film's stars walked the not red, but azure blue carpet, a reference to the movie's mediterranean setting.

Leicester Square itself was further decorated with lemon trees and an orthodox-style church to recall Mamma Mia!'s Greek island setting.

But the crowd remained distinctly pro-Swedish, waving the country's flags and singing along to the Abba tunes being pumped out of speakers all around them.

The stars of the film later went to a star-studded after-party to celebrate the end of their months of hard work.

Even a week ahead of it's general release, Mamma Mia and, in particular it's star Meryl Streep, are earning rave reviews.

The Hollywood Reporter said: "It's a delightful piece of film-making with a marvellous cast topped by Meryl Streep in one of her smartest and most entertaining performances ever.

"It's no stretch to think of her performance in Oscar terms, ranking with previous musical winners such as Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand and Catherine Zeta-Jones."

59 year-old Streep said: "This film will make you feel happy. You will leave it dancing."

The actress also revealed her favourite Abba song is Dancing Queen. "It's like the iconic, great song. It's just impossible to maintain your gloom when you hear it!" she said.

So could an Oscar finally be winging its way to Ms Streep? Chat about her, and your favourite film musicals in our Films Forum >

Image credit: WENN