THE FIRST-ever full UK tour of hit musical Mamma Mia! will be at Leeds Grand next spring.

The show, set on a Greek island and using the songs of Abba, will run from May 30 to July 8.

A spokesman said: “Mamma Mia! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise.

“To date, it has been seen by more than 60 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages. Mamma Mia! The Movie is the highest worldwide grossing live-action musical film of all time.”

Mamma Mia! is one of only five musicals to have run for more than 10 years both on Broadway and in the West End, and in 2011 it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.

With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the show was written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast.

Creator and producer Judy Craymer said: “Mamma Mia! is such a joyous show, it’s really thrilling to be bringing it to Leeds for the first time and for audiences to embrace its heartwarming story and the irresistible songs of ABBA. It's a perfect treat for all ages.”

Casting for the Leeds performances will be announced later.

Visit leedsgrandtheatre.com or call 0844 8482700 to book tickets.