Everyone, no matter their age or upbringing, knows the songs of Abba. The songs are a British staple, used without fail at most parties to get people dancing and singing. It is no surprise, then, that Mamma Mia is such a popular show on the West End, drawing in full audiences 8 shows a week.
The show is set on a little island in Greece, where Sophie lives with her single mother, Donna. It all starts a few days before Sophie is set to get married to Sky, and decides she wants her father at her wedding. She finds Donna’s diaries and discovers she has three potential fathers, and sends letters to all three of them, inviting them to her wedding. The story unfolds from there, bringing many funny moments, and spectacular dance numbers.
The role of Donna, played by Linzi Hateley, was funny and strong, holding your attention well. Her rendition of The Winner Takes It all was powerful, and the emotion silenced the audience in awe. Hateley, no stranger to the stage, was clearly comfortable in her role, and her confidence was untouchable. Her bond with her on stage daughter, played by Sanne den Besten, was clear, and the relationship unfolded in a realistic fashion.
Sanne den Besten is a convincing Sophie, taking you on a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the show. Sophie is a character who is constantly trying to find who she is, and Sanne shows that well, right down to her decision at the end of the show. Her voice is strong, and I think in a show with a bit of a deeper story, Sanne’s talents could be showcased beautifully. I am looking forward to what she will be doing after this.
The stand out performances of the night came from Mazz Murray and Jo Napthine, who played the roles of Tanya and Rosie superbly. Murray’s version of Does Your Mother Know had the audience laughing and clapping along, raising the energy within the theatre to a new level. Her talent and comedic timing is second to none, and a joy to watch on the stage. Napthine’s duet of Take A Chance On Me was equally as hilarious, with vocals to match, and great on stage chemistry with Bill, played by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart. They bounced off of each other, and the audience ate it up, loving every second of it.
The role of Sophie’s fiancé, Sky, was played by Richard Carson. An understated role, Carson made it his own, and had the audience captivated with the bond on stage with his friends, who kidnap him in one scene for his stag do. Having seen Carson in Miss Saigon in the role of Chris, I was intrigued to see him in this show, which is quite literally a polar opposite of what I’d seen him in previously. He held his own during the duet of Lay Your Love On Me, and made the audience laugh in the opening of act two, when he comes out in a wedding dress during a dream sequence.
The role of Sophie’s Dads were played strongly by Alasdair Harvey, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, and Richard Trinder. Vocally, they were all impressive, and wowed the audience throughout the show with their diverse acting skills, and their connection with both each other and the rest of the cast on the stage.
Mamma Mia makes or breaks on its ability to work as a team, so I would be remissed if I didn’t mention the great ensemble who are the backbone of this London show. The choreography and acting from each of them was great, and you couldn’t take your eyes off of the stage during any big dance number.
Overall, Mamma Mia is a good, fun, family show. It isn’t a great mystery, and it doesn’t give you any answers for any of the big questions, nor does it delve deep into any big issues. But it is light hearted, and the audience don’t seem able to sit still in their seats from the second the curtain goes up. They get their chance to get up and dance at the end of the show, when the cast come out and sing an encore of songs, with spectacular dance sequences, and involving the audience as much as they can.
Some moments were a little surreal, such as the dream sequence opening act two which is a little too bizarre to really understand, and there were moments when the staging did appear a little chaotic, with too much going on to know where to look.
However, I think it will be a show that remains a top spot to start a night out, or celebrate a hen do, and I don’t see Abba-mania leaving the West End any time soon.
The show is set on a little island in Greece, where Sophie lives with her single mother, Donna. It all starts a few days before Sophie is set to get married to Sky, and decides she wants her father at her wedding. She finds Donna’s diaries and discovers she has three potential fathers, and sends letters to all three of them, inviting them to her wedding. The story unfolds from there, bringing many funny moments, and spectacular dance numbers.
The role of Donna, played by Linzi Hateley, was funny and strong, holding your attention well. Her rendition of The Winner Takes It all was powerful, and the emotion silenced the audience in awe. Hateley, no stranger to the stage, was clearly comfortable in her role, and her confidence was untouchable. Her bond with her on stage daughter, played by Sanne den Besten, was clear, and the relationship unfolded in a realistic fashion.
Sanne den Besten is a convincing Sophie, taking you on a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the show. Sophie is a character who is constantly trying to find who she is, and Sanne shows that well, right down to her decision at the end of the show. Her voice is strong, and I think in a show with a bit of a deeper story, Sanne’s talents could be showcased beautifully. I am looking forward to what she will be doing after this.
The stand out performances of the night came from Mazz Murray and Jo Napthine, who played the roles of Tanya and Rosie superbly. Murray’s version of Does Your Mother Know had the audience laughing and clapping along, raising the energy within the theatre to a new level. Her talent and comedic timing is second to none, and a joy to watch on the stage. Napthine’s duet of Take A Chance On Me was equally as hilarious, with vocals to match, and great on stage chemistry with Bill, played by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart. They bounced off of each other, and the audience ate it up, loving every second of it.
The role of Sophie’s fiancé, Sky, was played by Richard Carson. An understated role, Carson made it his own, and had the audience captivated with the bond on stage with his friends, who kidnap him in one scene for his stag do. Having seen Carson in Miss Saigon in the role of Chris, I was intrigued to see him in this show, which is quite literally a polar opposite of what I’d seen him in previously. He held his own during the duet of Lay Your Love On Me, and made the audience laugh in the opening of act two, when he comes out in a wedding dress during a dream sequence.
The role of Sophie’s Dads were played strongly by Alasdair Harvey, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, and Richard Trinder. Vocally, they were all impressive, and wowed the audience throughout the show with their diverse acting skills, and their connection with both each other and the rest of the cast on the stage.
Mamma Mia makes or breaks on its ability to work as a team, so I would be remissed if I didn’t mention the great ensemble who are the backbone of this London show. The choreography and acting from each of them was great, and you couldn’t take your eyes off of the stage during any big dance number.
Overall, Mamma Mia is a good, fun, family show. It isn’t a great mystery, and it doesn’t give you any answers for any of the big questions, nor does it delve deep into any big issues. But it is light hearted, and the audience don’t seem able to sit still in their seats from the second the curtain goes up. They get their chance to get up and dance at the end of the show, when the cast come out and sing an encore of songs, with spectacular dance sequences, and involving the audience as much as they can.
Some moments were a little surreal, such as the dream sequence opening act two which is a little too bizarre to really understand, and there were moments when the staging did appear a little chaotic, with too much going on to know where to look.
However, I think it will be a show that remains a top spot to start a night out, or celebrate a hen do, and I don’t see Abba-mania leaving the West End any time soon.