LAST week in a Menorcan hotel, we enjoyed evening shows of flamenco dancing (appropriate and passionate), a Spanish version of the Irish show Lord of the Dance (unusual but effective – there’s a link between Irish and Spanish dance) and Abba Gold, a terrific tribute band.

Now in Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre, we endured Abba Reunion.

No, this was not the long-awaited reunion of the real Abba, but a very iffy copycat act.

Forty years after the original Swedish supergroup were topping the pop music charts around the world, there is an increasing appreciation of the band’s talents.

From the early singalongs Waterloo, Knowing Me Knowing You, and Mamma Mia, to the subtly complex and orchestral arrangements of I Believe In Angels, Take A Chance On Me, and the movingly autobio-graphical Super Trouper, there is clear evidence of impressive musical development.

(And blonde Agnetha’s new album is excellent.) However, Abba Reunion has four performers claiming and pretending (in icky Swedish accents) to be the originals: “I am Benny!” etc.

The vocals are inconsistent, harmonies thin, and choreography loose.

Bass guitar sound is muddy and the drums sound like packing cases being thumped.

Excruciatingly, “Bjorn” cheerfully introduces his “beautiful wife” to sing The Winner Takes It All (actually the poignant anthem of their divorce).

Constantly urging the seated audience to “get up and dance!” resulted in wheelchair and incapacitated people being unable to see the show.

Many left early.

BRENDAN MCCUSKER