PREVIEW by Faith Agbonson
The UK tour of Mamma Mia! brings the smash-hit musical back to major cities across the country, including Leicester, at Curve Theatre.
Now starring Lydia Hunt as Sophie Sheridan, the production has recently celebrated 25 years of production on the big stage.
Since its debut in London’s West End, Mamma Mia! has become a household name, reaching a global audience of more than 70 million people across 50 countries and even having a movie adaptation.
Written by playwright Catherine Johnson, the story takes place on a fictional Greek island, following a young girl named Sophie who dreams of a perfect white wedding, with her father giving her away at the altar.
But there’s one problem. She has no clue who her father is. And she’s getting married tomorrow!
The jukebox musical carries the audience on Sophie’s adventure, trying to figure out which of the three men her mother fell for could be her real dad.
The feel-good story is based on songs recorded by Swedish global sensation ABBA.
Members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, who wrote the songs, were directly involved in the development of the stage production from the start, while singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad was financially involved and appeared at many of the musical’s premieres around the world.
The musical is named after the group’s 1975 sensational hit, “Mamma Mia”. However, it also includes many of the group’s other popular songs, such as “Dancing Queen”, “Knowing Me, Knowing You”, “The Winner Takes It All” and many more.
With its iconic music and a captivating story, the musical has garnered critical acclaim, not only winning a BAFTA but also becoming the eighth-longest-running show in Broadway history.
“One thing I’ve learnt from 25 fun and frantic years of overseeing and co-ordinating the many productions of MAMMA MIA! is that the potential and possibilities are continuously exciting and seem to be limitless,” recalls creative producer of the musical, Judy Craymer.
The musical will be showing at Curve from March 24 to 29, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, with tickets starting from £12. Book here.
