Well it has finally arrived in
Norwich, the hit musical celebrating the music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! starts its
four week run at the Norwich Theatre Royal. I had to take my mother of course
as she is such a big fan of ABBA and the smash hit film but has never seen it
on the stage. Me, I saw it a few few few years ago (think I might have been
about 14) with Nanny Cora in the West End when I think it was at the Prince of Wales
Theatre I do believe prior to its move to The Novello theatre. It was a
fantastic evening with mother, a few glasses of red and some feta and olives to
get us in that Greek mood. Mother was a bit tipsy I have to admit, but I will
keep that quiet, don’t want her getting embarrassed. We also got the bus home
which was hilarious; I got off at the wrong stop as I thought the bus went a
different route and it took us about 20 minutes to get back to my house, such
an unprofessional theatre blogger I know.
Mamma Mia! celebrates the music of
ABBA, and I don’t know a person who doesn’t like the songs, its choosing your
favourite that’s the hard thing. With music and lyrics by ABBA front men, Benny
Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and playwright Catherine Johnson writing the story
Mamma Mia! is set against the backdrop of a quaint little Greek Island. Sophie
is on the hunt to find her father, but who is it? Sam, Harry or Bill, who
knows. Sophie’s mother, Donna, had a colourful time before Sophie arrived and
we follow this warming journey and feel for each character at different points,
the dads, Donna and daughter Sophie. One daughter, one mother, a wedding, an
island and three dads, what could go wrong? Nothing it is all bloody perfect. Don’t
worry though; Donna’s best friends from her youth, Rosie and Tanya, are here to
help. Mamma Mia! first hit the West End back in 1999 and is currently the 8th
longest running musical in West End history. Despite its massive following and
popularity now, Mamma Mia! did not win many Olivier’s in 2000, with the Best
Supporting Actress award going to Jenny Galloway for her portrayal of Rosie. Stiles
and Drewe’s Honk! won the Best New Musical and I think we can all agree Mamma
Mia! is definitely a bigger success. (Can I just say exclamation marks ! in musical
titles is very inconvenient for grammar on a computer!)!
I have to say I think this touring
production of Mamma Mia! could be the best thing I have ever seen at the
Theatre Royal in Norwich. Right from the get go I was in love with it. How can
you go wrong with the songs of ABBA. I have seen a lot of touring productions
but this is something else, honestly. I did not feel like I was in Norwich I
felt like I was in the heart of the West End again. The film is great but you
can’t beat live musical theatre. I forgot how funny the show was, I couldn’t stop
laughing. And I apologise to those behind me, I couldn’t stop myself swaying and
jiving either, to all the songs and trying to whisper-sing. Absolutely a
fabulous night. “Best thing I have seen”, “Fantastic!”, “what a wonderful show”
were just some of the comments I heard on the walk to the bus stop for this
feel good musical.
Donna is played by Helen Hobson,
star of the stage in many big musicals and even bigger roles and a bit of TV
too. She has a fabulous and powerful voice, looks gorgeous on stage and has
that funny side. She was by far the star of the night and deserves the standing
ovation she received – great voice. Friend Rosie is played by Gillian Hardie,
by far the funniest person on that stage last night (don’t think she is
pictured in the photo though). So funny, her dancing would see off diversity
any day, I absolutely loved her (and I am a big Julie Walters fan). Tanya is
played by Emma Clifford, cougar is an understatement for this lady, and she was
foxxy with a double ‘x’. She suited the role perfectly. The relationship of the
three ladies on stage is genuinely lovely to watch. Amazing all thee of you.
The daddies are played by Alex
Bourne as Sam, Jamie Hogarth as Harry and Christopher Hollis as Bill. All very
handsome for the older gentleman they each capture the individuality of the
three male characters and each steal the lime light on their songs. All very talented
singers and I particularly liked campy Harry I have to admit. Sophie is played
by Lucy May Barker. I thought she was great on stage. She has a lovely voice to
listen to and is a joy to watch on stage. Sophie’s husband to be is Sky played
by Phillip Ryan joined by his mates Pepper (Louis Stockil) and Eddie (Brad
Veitch); all gorgeous and ripped like a shredder’s deposit they got the ladies
(and most probably some of the guys) in the audience wolf whistling away. The embarrassing
thing was that my mother was the loudest one there, mother! The rest of the
cast are hilariously funny, enormously talented and give it their all. It feels
like you are watching for the first performance and I know they will deliver
and deliver each night at the NTR.
With direction from Phyllida Lloyd,
I am unable to find the set designer in the programme, maybe Mark Thompson,
production designer, only associate set designer, Jonathan Allen. Although very
simple it is hugely effective. One central Greek stone bit of architecture it
becomes the centre piece of the stage. Turned around and around it creates
different scenes with minimal props. I
love it. Lighting by Howard Harrison again seems simple but amazing. The blue spark
of the Mediterranean is portrayed on the stage beautifully. The music is
married to the story so well, it never feels forced or faked, and it just
naturally fits. It feels like Benny and Bjorn wrote all this music years ago
knowing they would use it all for a musical. Choreography is by Anthony Van Laast,
great and energetic cannot fault the dancing whatsoever. The best part has to
be the curtain call, with the audience on their feet singing and dancing along
to ABBA, and the cast in the best costumes of the night (thanks to Lucy
Gaiger). It is absolutely lovely this show and I cannot wait to go see it
again.
Mamma Mia!http://www.mamma-mia.com/uk-tour/ has its home in Norwich
for the next four weeks. I would urge anyone and everyone to go and see this
feel good musical, and it is on our doorsteps so there is no excuse. It will
create such a positive vibe within you it is unmissable. I have been singing
ABBA all day haha! Dancing Queen, Me? How dare you. The tour leaves Norwich and
goes to Newcastle and visits Stoke, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Brighton, Sunderland,
Glasgow, Northampton, Wolverhampton and more places as well as more dates and
venues to be announced soon. At the Norwich Theatre Royal you have until
Saturday 25th March to get your ticket and enjoy this wonderful
musical phenomenon. With nightly shows at 7:30pm and matinees on most Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm although most shows have limited availability
and you will need to be quick to get yourself the best seat, with some performances
already sold out. It really cannot be missed, I want to go see it again but I
might have to travel afar. Please get in touch I would love to hear from you on
Twitter and know your favourite ABBA song, it’s bound to be in the show, @AaronBurgess89.
