Greeting visitors in the foyer of Malmö Opera is a formidable bronze sculpture of the Greek muse Thalia. Tonight, she holds a newly tied bunch of wonderful balloons. You could say she’s got the look but you’d be required to add a “la la la la la”. After all, this is the world premiere of Joyride, a new jukebox musical featuring a barrage of bangers by Swedish pop royalty Roxette.
Per Gessle, who formed the duo with Marie Fredriksson, is used to filling huge international arenas with the band’s power ballads and party anthems. But when we talk before the musical’s opening night, he points out that it is not the first time Roxette has been heard in an opera house – they played Sydney’s in 2015. The difference with a musical is the opportunity to work on such a “grand scale” with a 34-piece orchestra and resident team of craftspeople. “It costs a fortune to do this,” he says. “I’m happy that they sold so many tickets!”
