Mamma Mia has been entertaining audiences world-wide since 1999. If you’re an ABBA fan, then this is the show for you.
This is a love story set to ABBA songs. Most people know the story, having seen the hit film with Meryl Streep. We are transported to an idyllic sun soaked greek island by Mark Thompson’s simple set. You can almost feel the heat coming off the Teverna walls thanks to Howard Harrison’s atmospheric lighting that also becomes camp and glittery when required. It is the day before Sophie’s (Lucy May Barker) wedding day and friends from the past are arriving. The writing by Catherine Johnson deftly Seguways everyone’s favourite ABBA songs into the show as if they were written for it. The Name of the Game becomes a father/daughter song and Does you Mother know is a fun, high energy dance number. From Dancing Queen to Voulez Vous, all the classics are covered, as well as some lesser known songs like One of Us and Slipping through my Fingers. The plot line is basic but has enough twists and turns to just about make it believable.
This was one of the first jukebox musical that led the way for many shows that used pop songs as the basis of a musical show. It doesn’t try too hard to be something that it’s not and uses tongue in cheek irony, the odd smutty line and gorgeous bodied boys to keep things going. It is certainly not a Sondheim musical, but a vehicle to celebrate ABBA’s songs. As long as you don’t expect a deep and meaningful piece of theatre, you will not be disappointed.
Emma Clifford (Tanya), Sara Poyzer (Donna Sheridan) & Jacqueline Braun (Rosie)
Some of the younger members including Lucy May Baker as Sophie and Phillip Ryan as her love interest, were underwhelming and lacked chemistry with less satisfying singing and characterisation. At times it felt that Ryan’s main appeal was taking his top off as often as possible.
Sara Poyzer as Donna Sheridan as the independent single mother who owns a taverna in Greece, however, gives an assured and heartfelt performance. Her rendition of Winner Takes it all is a show stopper. Emma Clifford as Tanya and Jacqueline Braun as Rosie are hilarious throughout. I particularly enjoyed Jacqueline Braun’s performance of Take A Chance on Me, delivering it with much glee and campness.
The finale singalong really brings the audience to life and everyone was standing and clapping along by the end. What this show lacks in substance more than makes up for with some of the best pop songs ever written. It is pure, unapologetic seventies campness that is energetic and entertaining. Don’t go to this show expecting a gripping storyline, just go to enjoy the songs that take you back to another era. It is sure to brighten up dark and chilly autumn evenings.
Runs at the Wales Millennium Centre until November 13.
Photography: Brinkhoff Mögenburg
wmc.org.uk