The ever popular ABBA musical is in town
ABBA fans young and old congregated to fill the entire three floors of Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall for the opening night of a joyful musical celebrating friendship, love and identity.
First performed in London’s West End in 1999, MAMMA MIA! The Musical tells the story of young bride-to-be Sophie, who invites three men from her mother’s past to the Greek island where they live, to celebrate her imminent wedding.
Sophie believes that one of the men is her father – but which? This tension is the starting point of the play but soon becomes less important as the new arrivals (Harry, Bill and Sam) join the island’s inhabitants in celebrating friendships, memories and excitement for the future with the rekindling of old romances and the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations.
Clever stage design, directed by Mark Thompson and set out in hues of white and blue, helps to depict the idyllic setting in which Sophie and her mother Donna run a hotel.
Packed with classics such as Knowing Me, Knowing You, The Winner Takes It All and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, the musical takes audiences on a satisfying journey through ABBA’s extensive back catalogue. A particular highlight is the lively yet perfectly choreographed performance of Money, Money, Money, putting the spotlight on Donna, played by Jenn Griffin, in dramatic fashion.
Sophie, played by Hazel Baldwin, is charming in her role of a young woman about to begin a new chapter in life. Her relationship with her on-stage fiancé Sky (Samuel Downey) is sweet and genuine, authentically depicted as full of the promises of an adventurous life together. Supporting performances, particularly The Dynamos (teenage friends of Sophie’s mother who have joined the rest of the cast on the island), all add to the sentiments of humour and joy that run through the piece.
Running until 10 October, MAMMA MIA! The Musical is a gloriously glittery delight for fans of music, love and ABBA. Theatregoers are advised to stay right until the end – the encore is something to behold.
MAMMA MIA! The Musical plays at Nottingham's Theatre Royal until Saturday 3 October.
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