From being a dancing queen at Abba Voyage to wallowing in Byron’s dystopian darkness, comedians, actors, musicians and more share the culture that shaped their year – whether it was made in 2023 or 1816
I went to Abba Voyage in March this year, for the second time, but this felt really special because I went with my mum, who is my favourite person and my biggest cheerleader. I grew up listening to Abba with her and it felt so lovely for it just to be me and her. It’s such an incredible experience: for the first five minutes you marvel at the technology but after that you absolutely forget that it’s not really them and you’re just transported.
It felt like the perfect night with my mum who is my favourite person, though I don’t want to blow steam up her bum bum. I’ve had a very busy year this year – I’ve pretty much worked every day – but on days where I’m travelling hundreds of miles, or I’m doing a 14-hour shoot, I think back to Abba Voyage, and that night, and it brings me so much joy. I bought a dance booth which is the best place to see the whole show, and from start to finish she just danced and sang. At the end, we were hugging and crying. It was so great.
