Mamma Mia!

SYNOPSIS

Mamma Mia!

A decade since it opened in the West End, one musical has continued to pull in the punters and cement itself as a show like no other, captivating audiences and providing some wonderful songs to propel the compelling story along.

Then in 2008, even more audiences got to witness the fun as a big screen version opened on cinema screens across the world. It starred Meryl Streep, Julia Walters, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, managing to gross more than 600 million dollars worldwide and in the UK managing to beat “The Dark Knight” as the highest grossing film of the year.

Welcome to the world of “Mamma Mia!”, the acclaimed and popular musical that effortlessly blends great storytelling with toe tapping songs straight from the back catalogue of ABBA. It is a show like no other that continues to find new fans, whilst keeping old fans captivated with each return viewing.

Since opening in April 1999 it has gone from strength to strength, originally landing on the stage of the Prince Edward Theatre where it won many fans, before transferring to its current home of the Prince of Wales Theatre, continuing its success that has seen it perform in front of 5 million people. Due to the overwhelming numbers of people that have travelled to the venue and passed through its doors, it has raked in £155 million in the UK with a worldwide total of $2 billion.

The story of “Mamma Mia!” begins with Sophie, who dreams of a wonderful wedding after becoming engaged to a young man by the name of Sky. But for everything to go according to her desires, her father will have to walk her down the aisle – something that would be an easy task if she knew who her father is. Looking into her mother Donna’s past, she happens upon her old diary and manages to narrow down the contenders to three men and subsequently invites them all to the Greek Island where they live. Her plan hinges on meeting the men and Sophie is convinced that she will know in her heart which of them is her real father.

But things do not go according to plan and Donna is horrified to find three old flames back on the island. Her emotions are turned upside down and when the three men find out the real reasons for their invites, they insist that they should all be given the opportunity to walk Sophie down the aisle. It is a world of chaos that she could not have anticipated.

The creative minds behind the global smash hit are Catherine Johnson, a British Playwright, as well as Judy Craymer and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.

And being a musical, the show also features 22 musical numbers from ABBA’s extensive back catalogue, including “Dancing Queen”, “Money, Money, Money”, “Chiquita”, “Thank You For The Music”, “Waterloo”, “S O S”, “Super Trouper” and of course “Mamma Mia!”

So make sure you get down to the West End and catch the show that started it all. It will be a decision you won’t regret!

“Mamma Mia” continues its run at the Prince of Wales Theatre where it is currently taking bookings until 2011.

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