★★★★
Jenny Ryan’s Björn Yesterday is a silly and entertaining hour all about ABBA. A far cry from her younger self, who dubbed ABBA a “naff” band, she is now somewhat of an ABBA expert, having been to ABBA Voyage twice. But she has a theory: the beloved band isn’t real.
She takes us through a detailed history of the band, providing us with interesting trivia along the way: did you know that Abba is also the name of a seafood company in Sweden? There’s a Venn diagram showing how ABBA songs can be grouped into three categories; a light-hearted rant about the plot holes in the Mamma Mia films; and a bizarre sequence where she hears Bjorn talk to her.
Ryan has brilliant stage presence and it’s a joy to watch her perform. From the second she comes out, wearing an ABBA t-shirt and sequinned jacket, she lights up the stage. She is a natural comic, and the audience are in stitches throughout the whole show. Highlights include a rendition of ABBA Voyage using Funko Pops, and a demonstration of how the outro of ‘Chiquitita’ sounds like the Thomas The Tank Engine theme tune. The best part, however, are the songs. She has such a beautiful singing voice, and I could listen to it all day. I’d love for more to be included in the show.
Of course, her theory is ridiculous—a fact that Ryan acknowledges herself—and we aren’t persuaded that ABBA aren’t real. But Ryan ties this together with her personal experiences, which she discusses briefly near the start of the show. She attended a Catholic school where she was taught that homosexuality is a sin. This destroyed some of her friends’ mental health, as they felt forced to repress their feelings even beyond school—one of her friends only came out in his forties. As a result, she is now sceptical of believing things just because she is told. However, she’s learned that it doesn’t matter what you believe in as long as your beliefs don’t cause harm, which is surprisingly sweet and thought-provoking.
It’s certainly a chaotic show but Ryan’s personality and talent more than make up for this. Plus, just like the Mamma Mia films, it ends in a sing-along—you can’t help but love it! You should definitely Take A Chance on Björn Yesterday this Fringe.
Jenny Ryan: Björn Yesterday will be performed at Pleasance Courtyard – Cabaret Bar until 17 August as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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