Commissioned by ABBA themselves and filmed in secret as a surprise aired on the Eurovision Semi Final night.
Made to celebrate 30 years since their iconic win in Brighton with 'Waterloo'
The puppets were really lovely.
Built at Hensons London Creature Shop they were hyper cute, and instantly recognisable.
Mark Jefferis performed the two brunettes while I got the blondes.
The lovely Phillip Eason and John Wheatley were on eye controls and addition arms.
Instead of the usual tight green or blue lycra, puppeteers worked in loose black pyjamas.
Nice and comfortable to work in.
Visual effects still managed to 'key' us out and composite clean shots of the puppets.
A wonderful Top Secret shoot in Stockholm.
It's good to know the puppets still exist, and people can get a close up look at them.
Many puppets I've used have been sold at auction, or ended up in a skip.
Some have actually been stolen out of skips and then sold on.
But the mini popsters are safely on display in ABBAs own Museum in Stockholm.
Apologies to ABBA and their management team for not sending a gushing and huge Thank You for the marvellous print of the four puppets signed by every member of ABBA....We never got them.
Apologies to ABBA and their management team for not sending a gushing and huge Thank You for the marvellous print of ther four puppets signed by every member of ABBA ... We never got them.
Apologies to ABBA and their management team for not sending a gushing and huge Thank You for the marvellous print of ther four puppets signed by every member of ABBA ... We never got them.
Only by chance and almost a decade later, Phil worked with the Director Calle again.
Calle asked if we enjoyed the gift that ABBA had sent over for the four puppeteers .
Turns out of course, the Managers at Hensons kept them for themselves.
Which tells you a lot. If Jim were still alive, we would have received our gifts.
ABBA must think us very rude for not acknowledging such a wonderful gesture.
So thank you anyway ABBA : It was a very kind thought.