It’s all so very Greek! Mamma Mia hits Oxford’s New Theatre.

The show opens with a medley of ABBA songs, and from my seat I could see the conductor of the orchestra dancing on his piano stool as they played. Nothing could illustrate how fun the show will be more than that!

The story centres around a mother and daughter, the latter is about to get married and wants her father to be there, and she has never known who he is. So, when she finds her mother’s diary from the year she was born, and finds not one but 3 potential fathers, she makes the daring decision to invite them all.

Set on a beautiful Greek island, the set designers masterfully bring to life the location through clever, minimalist set and staging. The first act introduces the characters to us, the charming and affable Sam, potential father number one, Donna and her Dynamos who champion their friendships and growing old disgracefully, the spontaneous Harry and adventurous Bill to name a few. The cast looked like they were having the best time on stage and that vibrancy leaked into the audience, when I looked around, almost all the audience were smiling from ear to ear.

My standout performers were Donna Sheridan played by Jenn Griffin who brought the wild untameable energy of her character to life through incredible high kicks and notes and Tanya played by Sarah Earnshaw who charmed us with her sexy and carefree take on the role! Credit also goes to ensemble member Natorii Illidge who was captivating to watch on stage, and her energy was so impressive!

A slower more emotional second act ties the story together, though I can’t help but feel it’s a little rushed compared with the first act. But the show ends with a party, whole crowd on their feet dancing and singing along, Mamma Mia, Waterloo have the crowd celebrating as confetti cannons go off. I left singing along and walking on clouds. Just the show to bust the rainy winter blues. 

The show runs at the New Theatre Oxford until 6^th December.

4.5 out of 5 stars!

It’s all so very Greek! Mamma Mia hits Oxford’s New Theatre.

My first experience of Mamma Mia was watching the first film on a ferry back from France. I remember being enthralled by the energy of the film and the music. It’s a skill to create something which is universally enjoyable and, dare I say it, but the stage show does this in buckets. It is even better than the film!

The show opens with a medley of ABBA songs, and from my seat I could see the conductor of the orchestra dancing on his piano stool as they played. Nothing could illustrate how fun the show will be more than that!

The story centres around a mother and daughter, the latter is about to get married and wants her father to be there, and she has never known who he is. So, when she finds her mother’s diary from the year she was born, and finds not one but 3 potential fathers, she makes the daring decision to invite them all.

Set on a beautiful Greek island, the set designers masterfully bring to life the location through clever, minimalist set and staging. The first act introduces the characters to us, the charming and affable Sam, potential father number one, Donna and her Dynamos who champion their friendships and growing old disgracefully, the spontaneous Harry and adventurous Bill to name a few. The cast looked like they were having the best time on stage and that vibrancy leaked into the audience, when I looked around, almost all the audience were smiling from ear to ear.

My standout performers were Donna Sheridan played by Jenn Griffin who brought the wild untameable energy of her character to life through incredible high kicks and notes and Tanya played by Sarah Earnshaw who charmed us with her sexy and carefree take on the role! Credit also goes to ensemble member Natorii Illidge who was captivating to watch on stage, and her energy was so impressive!

A slower more emotional second act ties the story together, though I can’t help but feel it’s a little rushed compared with the first act. But the show ends with a party, whole crowd on their feet dancing and singing along, Mamma Mia, Waterloo have the crowd celebrating as confetti cannons go off. I left singing along and walking on clouds. Just the show to bust the rainy winter blues. 

4.5 out of 5 stars!