Pack your bags because it’s time for a sun-soaked trip to Greece, courtesy of MAMMA MIA! at Mayflower Theatre.
Okay, so we didn't step onto a real island but trust me, this ABBA extravaganza is just as good as any holiday.
The latest tour of this jukebox musical is a joyful onslaught of absolute bangers, making it impossible for anyone to leave without a huge grin plastered across their face.
MAMMA MIA! has been a staple on the stage since its London debut back in 1999, and it’s clear why it’s still packing in the crowds more than two decades later.
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Despite having watched the iconic film starring Meryl Streep more times than I can count, this was my first time seeing the musical live and I’m not sure why I put it off for so long.
The stage production captures all the magic, romance, and cheeky humour of the film. It is exactly the sort of thing to lift your mood on a dreary evening.
The story unfolds on a Greek island, following bride-to-be Sophie, who in a bid to discover her real father, secretly invites three men to her wedding without her mother’s knowledge. Of course, all this drama happens with ABBA’s most famous hits woven seamlessly throughout.
Jenn Griffin, Rosie Glossop, and Sarah Earnshaw shone as Donna, Rosie, and Tanya, the trio of lifelong friends whose chemistry lifted every scene. Numbers like ‘Chiquitita’, ‘Dancing Queen’, and ‘Super Trouper’ were outstanding, and effortlessly funny. They were the standout performers of the night without a doubt.
But, it is the ensemble numbers where MAMMA MIA! truly bursts into life. The energy is infectious, their dancing and vocals immaculate, every move delivered with genuine enthusiasm. The first act’s finale of ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)’ and ‘Voulez-Vous’ had the whole audience itching to dance along.
Admittedly, the pace dips a little in the second act as the musical brings out more ballads, but it gives the story time to develop and understand the emotional complexities between the characters.
MAMMA MIA! may be a tad silly, but it is uplifting and brimming with joy - the perfect tonic now that the clocks have gone back and the nights are drawing in.
MAMMA MIA! is at Mayflower Theatre until November 8 and tickets can be bought online at mayflower.org.uk or by calling 02380 711811.
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