Smile, laugh and fall in love all over again as the enchanting show Mamma Mia! packed full of iconic ABBA songs arrives in Sunderland.
Glorious sets, stunning costumes and those high-octane numbers make it easy to see why Mamma Mia! is one of the most popular and feel-good musicals in the world and this sunny extravaganza should not be missed.
One of the strongest memories I’ve got from my Seventies childhood is the wonderful songs of ABBA drifting through the house from my Dad’s Hitachi Music Centre and us all dancing in the kitchen. ABBA music has been the backdrop of my life and it’s no doubt the same for many of us, which might explain why more than 65 million people worldwide have flocked to see this show. And the Sunderland Empire was packed to the rafters with young and old ready for a party.
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Obviously the ABBA hits are the key to the show. But this isn’t a tribute show – the classic ABBA songs are intertwined into a sweet tale of family and friendship which unfolds on a Greek island paradise. Independent, single mother Donna (played by Sara Poyzer), the owner of a small hotel on a picturesque Greek island, is reluctantly arranging the wedding of her young daughter Sophie (played by Phoebe Robert).
Donna has invited her two best friends – practical and no-nonsense Rosie (Nicky Swift) and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya (Helen Anker), from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos.
But Sophie has invited three guests of her own. Hoping to discover the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men Sam (Richard Standing and Sara Poyzer’s real-life husband), Harry (Daniel Crowder) and Bill (Phil Corbitt) from Donna’s past to the Greek paradise they last visited 20 years ago. Over 24 chaotic hours, new love blossoms and old romances come to life again.
But it was the timeless songs of ABBA that were the real stars of this hilarious, emotional and fast-paced show. There’s also a brilliant script, perfect comic timing and there are effervescent performances throughout. I have to do a shout out to Bill played by Phil Corbitt as a Geordie. Everybody loved that! Whether you’re a Mamma Mia! superfan or a newcomer to the musical, you’re sure to fall in love with the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit production.
While the leads are the standouts of this musical, the entire ensemble deserves great praise. There’s something about seeing people dancing and singing their hearts out and there’s so much energy about the show.
Mamma Mia! also has a fantastic finale and everyone was on their feet. If you get the chance to see it, you will not be disappointed. Just remember your moves.
Mamma Mia! is on at the Sunderland Empire until July 16.
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