Review: Mamma Mia

by Louw Mulder

There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, at Montecasino’s Teatro, for the Opening of the Mamma Mia World tour in Johannesburg. With this production’s third time in South Africa, the second being a UK Cast, this ever-popular Musical created just as much anticipation this time around…. So Mamma Mia, Here I go again.

I don’t wanna talk, about the things we’ve gone through, but about this production of Mamma Mia, there are only good things to say. From the very simplistic, yet very effective set, to the grand finale that revived the music of ABBA with all the theatre-goers in the audience. With a curtain call like this, there is only one thing to do… You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life.

I believe in angels, something good in everything I see, and so was also the case with the cast selected for the South African leg of this world tour. Donna Sheridan was played by an energetic Sara Poyzer, who also played this role in the West End Production of Mamma Mia. Richard Standing was given the role of Sam Carmichael, which, interestingly enough, is Poyzer’s real time husband off stage.

My highlight for the evening though, was the brilliance of Musical theatre, combined with unique British comedy with that tactful naughty streaks, by Shobna Gulati and Sue Devaney as Sue and Rosie respectively. The scenes in Donna’s room, lifted the noise in the theatre with laughter, as these two tried to lift the sorrows of their friend. They broke every bit of tension, and really enhanced the feel-good-goal of the Mamma Mia theatre production.

The rest of the cast contributed immensely to the good reviews of this show. Girls in bikinis, ripped boys without shirts, and dancing moves that makes you restless in your chairs were contributing to two and a half hours of real entertainment. At the end, it was the Music of ABBA who was the winner that took it all. In my mind, what makes a show like Mamma Mia successful, is the fact that all the music is well known, which adds to the interactive-silent-singing of each member of the audience.

But, so they made up their mind, it must come to an end. The show was converted in a mini-ABBA rock show, with standing ovations, spectacular lighting and a sound technician who increased the volume just that tad little bit. An ending like this, really caused all the audience members to leave the Teatro, with that one special ABBA tune in their head.

I know Mamma Mia is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you change your mind, I’m the first in line, to encourage you to go see it first. Mamma Mia will run at the Teatro until the 19^th of April, and tickets are available from Computicket, from R150 – R450.

Mamma Mia is really a show for all generations. For the young people, they can experience proper theatre, and for the older folks, those memories of yesteryear connected to that one ABBA song, will just make this show, a worth-while trip down memory lane.