Mama Mia

“A great night out” ★★★★ (Four stars)

Curve, Leicester 24/3/26

Review by Gareth Hides

The International tour of the hit jukebox musical MAMMA MIA! has landed in Leicester where it plays until Sunday. Featuring the hits of Swedish pop super-group ABBA, the show tells the story of Donna Sheridan (Jenn Griffin), owner of a small taverna on a secluded Greek island, as she prepares for the wedding of her daughter, Sophie (Lydia Hunt). On a mission to unearth the identify of her father, Sophie uncovers in her mother’s diary that she has three possible dads and proceeds to invite them all to her wedding. What follows is Sophie’s journey of self-discovery, punctuated brilliantly with the iconic score from Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson.

Though it was not the first jukebox musical (Buddy enjoyed much success in the West End prior to this), MAMMA MIA! has been in every sense a pioneer in this very commercial sub-genre of Musical Theatre, paving the way for the likes of We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys, &Juliet and Moulin Rouge. The brainchild of producer Judy Craymer, the show opened in the West End in 1999 and, despite moving theatres twice, continues to dazzle audiences at the Novello, making it the fifth- longest running show in West End history. The musical has been a hit globally and spawned a lucrative film adaption in 2008 starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. The show was further popularised by the 2023 ITV reality programme “Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream” which cast Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley as Sophie and Sky in the West End version.

For many audience members, the film is the obvious reference point. However, the show brings much more to the table, with the exception of A-list celebrity casting. The production is tongue-in- cheek and fantastically self-aware throughout, including Rosie (played by the excellent understudy Rachel Oates) getting the Musical Director (Carlton Edwards) to take a group photo after the wedding. Catherine Johnson’s script is funny and sexually suggestive throughout, though at times bordering on smut. She expertly manages to weave so many hit songs around the narrative, though “Super Trouper” is unashamedly shoehorned in as a performance piece for the reunion of Donna and the Dynamos. Director Phyllida Lloyd’s apt use of the ensemble as a ‘Greek Chorus’ is clever and adds to the surreal moments of the piece (exacerbated by the strange dream sequence that opens Act 2, unsurprisingly cut for the feature film).

Jenn Griffin as Donna leads the company ably, rightly stopping the show in Act 2 with her powerful performance of “The Winner Takes it All.” She is supported by Lydia Hunt as Sophie who’s strong-willed character is plagued with doubt as the story progresses. Griffin and Hunt’s performance of “Slipping Through My Fingers” just before the wedding is a particular highlight. Other noteworthy performances are Luke Jasztal as the smooth Sam Carmichael and the fun duet “Take a Chance on Me” performed by Mark Goldthorp (Bill) and Rachel Oates (Rosie). Sarah Earnshaw also gave a charismatic and amusing performance as Tanya, giving some Carol Vorderman vibes.

There were certainly some issues with this tried and tested production: hopefully the follow spot cues are sharper when you see the show, as actors were sadly in darkness for brief, key moments. The vocals from Joe Grundy (Sky) were pitchy in places during “Lay All Your Love on Me” but he probably wasn’t cast for this reason. Some key songs lacked the energy the piece is known for, owing to their fairly static staging (“One of Us” and “The Winner Takes it All”), but the production more than makes up for this with plenty of dynamic group dance numbers and sequins in bucketloads!

MAMMA MIA! is everything the audience wants and needs it to be: a great night out. The standing ovation and party atmosphere of the megamix finale are testament to this! If you’re looking for a fun night with some great, familiar pop music and a feel-good story- book your tickets today before the opportunity slips through your fingers! You won’t be disappointed.