Pippi Longstocking musical in works to celebrate 75th anniversary

A "musical circus show" based on Pippi Longstocking is in the works, with ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus on board as executive producer, as part of celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the children's classic. 

"Pippi at Circus", from Pop House Productions and the Astrid Lindgren Company, in collaboration with Cirkus Cirkör, will premiere at Cirkus, Stockholm on Friday 26th June 2020 and will run throughout the summer. 

Ulvaeus is the executive producer and responsible for the show’s lyrics to previously released instrumental music by Benny Andersson among others. The music will be performed live by a ‘flying’ circus orchestra.

Cirkus Cirkör’s founder, director and artistic director Tilde Björfors is the circus director and alongside her is Maria Blom, director and playwright, who is responsible for directing the actors. Together with Ulvaeus, the duo have written the show’s script, which is based on Astrid Lindgren’s story of when Pippi, Tommy and Annika went to the circus and met the circus princess Miss Carmencita, the line dancer Elvira and the world’s strongest man Starke Adolf. Magdalena Åberg is responsible for the stage design and costume design.

Olle Nyman, c.e.o. of The Astrid Lindgren Company, said: "Imagine being in the audience when Pippi goes to the circus; it’s totally irresistible! Pippi wants to play and not just sit in her place, so this will be great fun. We are extremely excited about this opportunity to share the strong, independent, fun and brave Pippi with this amazing company."

Ulvaeus added: "I had the privilege of meeting Astrid several times and her calm, confident radiance with a bright glitter in her eyes always made a deep impression on me. Västervik, where I grew up, is only 55 kilometres from her Vimmerby, so we are both Smålanders. I especially remember how proud I was when she said that I was ‘a real Emil’. I have the deepest respect for her work and hope we can present something she would have been proud of."