Mamma Mia

Well, what can I say? Five and a half years after its last visit to Norwich Theatre Royal, and an incredible twenty two and a half years after its world premiere at Prince Edward Theatre in London, the musical phenomenon that is 'Mamma Mia!' is back. It arrives in the city carrying a forecast of three weeks' unbroken Greek sunshine, and an arsenal of twenty two of the most pop-tastic ABBA songs ever written. It now seemed time for me to add my name to the 65million that have already made the journey to attend the Mediterranean wedding that famously features one mother, one daughter, and three possible fathers.
 
Swedish songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus famously receive credit for all the music and lyrics that are at the heart of Mamma Mia's success but, as the chequered lives of so many other 'jukebox musicals' have demonstrated, a show is nothing without a powerful storyline, positive direction, and a committed cast. And this production of 'Mamma Mia!' certainly ticks all three boxes.
 
Catherine Johnson's original script levered in so many of ABBA's greatest hits, whilst retaining a flowing and cohesive narrative (even if the plotline did bear a striking resemblence to a 1979 musical called Carmelina). Phyllida Johnson's direction is spot-on, never upstaging the music or
distracting from Anthony van Laast's spirited choreography, yet bringing out the very best from this talented and charismatic cast. The production design by Mark Thompson is simple, yet effective – a whitewashed structure in two halves that can be rotated and turned inside out to create everything from a taverna bedroom to a Greek market square.
 
But absolute top marks are awarded to each and every member of tonight's cast. Remember the raised eyebrows at some of the vocal performances in the film version? Well, there's none of that here tonight. Everyone is on tip-top note-hitting form, from the beautiful and funny Sara Poyzer (Donna Sheridan), and her hilarious Donna and the Dynamos cohorts - Nicky Swift (Rosie) and Helen Anker (Tanya), to the energetic troupe of dancers, who even perform one routine whilst wearing wetsuit and flippers.
 
The three potential fathers arrive in the shape of architect Sam Carmichael (played by Richard Standing, who is also Sara Poyzer's real-life husband), British banker Harry Bright (played by Daniel Crowder), and writer and adventurer Bill Austin (played by Phil Corbitt). Daughter Sophie (played by Jena Pandya) and fiancé Sky (played by Toby Miles) are the happy couple. And a special mention is due to two other members of the cast. First to Mariella Mazzilli, Norwich's very own Dancing Queen, who was clearly thrilled to be on the Theatre Royal stage playing the part of Sophie's friend, Lisa. And secondly to the versatile James Willoughby Moore, who plays the part of barman Pepper with a sublime blend of athleticism and physical comedy that clearly endeared him to the audience, and won him a round of applause at the end of his own scene-stealing dance solo.
 
We all know how the story ends, but there remains one further treat for the audience as Donna and the Dynamos return to the stage, dressed in classic ABBA-style outfits, to lead the entire cast in a joyous closing rendition of 'Mamma Mia', 'Dancing Queen' and 'Waterloo', with the entire audience on their feet and dancing.
 
If you haven't already secured your tickets, bring a little sunshine into your lives and book now. 'Mamma Mia!' runs at Norwich Theatre Royal until October 22nd.