Prince of Wales Theatre seating capacity slightly to 1,160 seats and to modernise the theatre's facilities. New bars were added, the auditorium completely rebuilt, the backstage areas refurbished and the theatre's famous tower and exterior completely gutted and refurbished with new LED lighting and a crisp modern finish. The theatre re-opened with ABBA's musical "Mamma Mia!" on 16 April 2004. On 18 August 2007, "Mamma Mia!" became the longest-running show ever at the Prince of Wales, overtaking the previous record held by "Aspects of Love" with 1,326 performances at the venue and counting. The production marked another landmark on Thursday 23 August 2007, celebrating
Musical Society of London Musical Society of London The Musical Society of London was formed in 1683. However, the term usually refers to an organisation which existed in the middle of the 19th century. It was founded in April 1858 by Charles Kensington Salaman (Honorary Secretary until 1865). The members had originally been part of the New Philharmonic Society. The founders included Augustine Sargood, Esq. (Treasurer); C. E. Horsley, Esq. (Honorary Librarian); W. V. Wallace; George Alexander Macfarren; Henry Smart; Julius Benedict; Stephen Elvey; John Goss (composer); E. J. Hopkins; Bernhard Molique; Sir F. A. Gore-Ouseley; and Dr. S. S. Wesley. In 1859 the