‘There are some real laugh-out-loud moments’
Sarah Earnshaw as Tanya, Jenn Griffin as Donna and Rosie Glossop as Rosie, in MAMMA MIA!(Image: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg)
Did I like ABBA’s music? Did I see (and enjoy) the film Mamma Mia!? They were two questions I was asked – and the response from me was very much in the affirmative.
I would no doubt then, I was reliably informed, appreciate the touring musical production of Mamma Mia! that has just opened in Hull for an 11-night run. What I did not reckon on, though, was quite how much.
Hull New Theatre was packed for press night and there was a real buzz of anticipation as the first notes struck up – the opening chord so sudden I jumped. It would not be the first time I was out of my seat at this show.
The audience was readied for the musical feast to come with an entrée medley (conducted by Carlton Edwards) of well-known ABBA tunes. Heads were nodding around me and feet no doubt tapping out there in the darkness, even before the curtain went up.
The first scene introduces Sophie (Lydia Hunt) three months ahead of her wedding on a sunny Greek island paradise – artfully conveyed by the set and lighting – popping invitations in the post to three men from her mother’s distant romantic past. Her secret quest to discover the identity of her father, from the entries that her mother Donna (Jenn Griffin) made in a diary 20 years before, is the catalyst for the colourful, comical and sometimes moving story that follows.
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The score rolls out hit after ABBA hit, the lyrics only ever-so-slightly tweaked to fit the narrative. It is very clever how the back catalogue of timeless tracks from the Swedish supergroup, otherwise unrelated, have been woven together to tell this story about enduring love and friendships.
There are some real laugh-out-loud moments as all of Sophie’s potential “dads”, Sam (Luke Jasztal), Harry (Richard Meek) and Bill (Mark Goldthorp), are brought into the pre-wedding fray. Donna’s long-time friends Rosie (Rosie Glossop) and Tanya (Sarah Earnshaw) earn some of the biggest laughs with their antics.
And who thought the moves to Lay All Your Love On Me could work so well with snorkels and flippers? The show is full of energy and feel-good moments, wonderful singing and dancing; it will leave you feeling exhilarated.
I am loath to single out individual performances but I have to say Hunt’s singing voice is so pure and clear, you savour every note in her range. Griffin’s straight-from-the heart rendition of The Winner Takes It All is a winner in itself.
(Wedding) hats off to all who are involved in this polished and professional musical that will entertain every age group (recommendation is five-plus). Will there be chance to have a sing and boogie yourself, come the encore? Put your Money, Money, Money on it.
Mamma Mia! is running at Hull New Theatre until Saturday, April 18.