Mamma Mia |Novello Theatre | Review

Set on a Greek island to the music of Abba, Sophie is engaged to be married wants to invite the father she has never met to her wedding.

The trouble is, after reading her Mother’s diary she realises her father could be one of 3 people, so she invites them all! Her mother Donna is horrified when they all turn up but as the show unfolds feelings are rekindled and friendships forged.

Mamma Mia
Mamma Mia

Writer Catherine Johnson has very cleverly interwoven 20+ Abba songs into a storyline. No it is not the greatest storyline in the world, but that is not the point of Mamma Mia! If you like Abba’s songs then you are likely to have an enjoyable time seeing this musical.

It opened on stage in 1999 and it wasn’t until 2008 the film starring Meryl Streep was made. I first saw the show around the same time as the film I can honestly say the stage show was a disappointment in comparison, and I rarely say that. The film is brighter, bolder and…there’s Colin Firth.

Mammia Mia the stage show offers something different though to the film and maybe I shouldn’t compare. In a cinema the audience weren’t up in the aisles singing and dancing along to the songs. The show cares even less about the storyline and concentrates more about pleasing the audience with garish costumes, cheesy dance routines and 80s nostalgia. It is not about the story at all but about having a good time.

Although I found it disappointing, it does deserve a second chance, and I must go again. I remember the music and energy of the show and I am probably not being at all fair, particularly as I took my teenage daughter who banned me from dancing in the aisles. #spoilsport.

 

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Read about the West End’s other top musicals

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