Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
12th October 2016
I had joked that I could review the smash hit musical Mama Mia based on the songs of Abba, without actually seeing the production in Wales Millennium Centre on Wednesday night…I had seen the show in London many moons ago, the movie has been watched numerous times, and like most woman in their forties, the songs were the soundtrack of my childhood (via an Abba loving mother of course!) However, I can happily say the show totally transported me away from the mundane trappings of every day Cardiff life to a fun-packed Greek Island, and I’ve been humming ‘Winner Takes it All’ ever since! I loved it! The performance I watched was triumphantly the 3000th of the UK tour and you can still catch it in Cardiff until 13th November.
The show opened with the beautiful voice of Lucy May Barker’s Sophie gently setting the scene. Her crazy friends and her potential fathers all of whom were perfectly suited to their roles soon joined her. Familiar songs were sung and dances danced, but then came the formidable Donna to steel the show! I have to say, Sara Poyzer played Donna to absolute perfection. The power in her voice made the hairs on my neck stand on end. Poyzer’s comic timing was also spot on, especially during the hilarious scenes with her friends Rosie (Jacqueline Braun) and Tanya (Emma Clifford)
The chorography and costumes were superb and have really improved from the original production. They have been updated to the present day rather than sticking to obvious Seventies moves and gear – although have no fear – the flares, and sparkling white jump suits are still shown off in all their glory for ‘Dancing Queen.’
Probably one of the most uplifting parts of the whole show came from two of the cast who were not the main characters. Accompanied by humorous bare-chested men kitted out in wetsuits and flippers, Tanya and Pepper (Louis Stoical) are outstanding comic dancers in ‘Does Your Mother Know?’ and while I’m on the wetsuit subject – can I just give a special mention to Sky played by Philip Ryan? The wolves were all whistling when he got undressed for his stag do!! You’ll know what I mean when you watch the show!
After the stag do, comes the impending wedding and the scene I had been waiting for. Like Sophie, I was brought up by my Mum and she also gave me away on my wedding day. So, when ‘Slipping through My Fingers’ began I was fishing in my bag for the tissues. Just like the movie, this touching scene will strike a chord with many a mother and daughter. Barker and Poyzer handled the emotion beautifully.
Unless you have been living under a rock, you probably know how the story ends. However, the Abba inspired Grecian party energy did not end as the curtain fell. In fact, as the stars dance back on to the stage, it steps up a notch with plenty of audience participation. Most were on their feet, dancing in the aisles, waving and singing back at the magnificent cast. The happy atmosphere was infectious and I defy anybody to be able to walk away from Mama Mia without a massive smile on his or her face.
Info: here
Tickets: £18.50 – £55.50
11 Oct – 13 Nov 2016
words BETH MORRIS