Mamma Mia! delivers a feel-good night at Wolverhampton Grand

The ultimate feel-good jukebox musical, Mamma Mia! is delighting audiences at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this week, with all the charm of life on a Greek island, combined with the unforgettable music of the seventies supergroup ABBA.

Whether live on stage or on the silver screen, Mamma Mia! has enjoyed an almost cult following since its premiere in 1999, most likely because it is pure joy to watch.

This latest UK tour is certainly no exception.

The storyline is heartwarming, funny and a little crazy, but who cares? Bride-to-be Sophie is unsure of her dad’s identity, so she invites three of her mother’s former lovers to her wedding in the hope that she can work out who he really is before the big day. But how will her mum, Donna, react?

ABBA’s repertoire of hits is immense, and the show oozes song after song, with everything from the early classics Honey, Honey and SOS to Knowing Me, Knowing You, Take a Chance on Me, Slipping Through My Fingers, the mesmerising Voulez-Vous, Dancing Queen, Waterloo and, of course, the title song.

Phyllida Lloyd’s direction is sharp, and she has expertly extracted the comedic moments from the piece, but also the emotional tenderness between a mother and her daughter.

Anthony Van Laast’s choreography is high-energy, with a touch of wild abandon which makes every number feel extremely natural rather than danced.

The scenery is simple but effective. The whitewashed buildings set against the deep blue sea instantly transported us to the warmth of a Greek island (delightful on a cold November evening), while the atmospheric lighting effects mean you can almost feel the sunshine in the daytime scenes, followed by the dark intensity and disco feel of the nighttime party.

The costumes are designed in a vibrant palette of colours, with textured outfits including satin and sequins, and a boho feel, while retaining the authenticity of the era.

The ABBA sound is not easy to recreate and, although we all love to sing along to their songs, remember they were largely written for two very specific female voices, and therefore performing them can be challenging. However, the Mamma Mia! band, under the musical direction of Carlton Edwards, did a superb job. It was perhaps a little too loud at points, but the sound will vary from venue to venue.

There was a dynamite portrayal of Donna, the harassed taverna owner and mother of the bride, from Ashley Jones.

ABBA’s blockbuster ballad The Winner Takes It All is a much-anticipated moment in Mamma Mia! and Miss Jones did not disappoint. The song is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking, and she delivered not only excellent vocals but also the emotional maturity that only a middle-aged woman knows. This was inspired casting.

Sarah Earnshaw as Tanya is self-assured and an excellent comedienne. Glamorous and polished, yet still able to bring the fun element, her number Does Your Mother Know? with the cheeky boy Pepper, ably played by Ashton Sharp, was another huge highlight, reducing the house to fits of laughter!

Lauren Woolf is gorgeous and goofy as Rosie, and Sarah McFarlane is perfectly cast as Sophie, with the wholesome innocence and excitement of a 21-year-old in love.

Not to be outdone by the ladies, Arvid Larsen is slightly bumbling and lovable as Harry, while Simon Victor as Bill offers another exceptional comedy performance. Richard Taylor Woods is serious as Sam and does a sterling job of the numbers SOS and Knowing Me, Knowing You, which are not at all easy for the male vocal range to reach.

An outstanding ensemble of young, triple-threat performers completes the cast, bringing energy and fun to the piece.

With a show-stopping finale which had the audience on its feet singing and dancing, what better way to bring this uplifting and timeless show to a close?

So, for an evening of pure entertainment, laughter and emotion mixed with the nostalgia of ABBA’s unique sound, Mamma Mia! is just a Super Trouper!

I took my very own Mamma Mia to see it, and she loved it. Believe me, there isn’t a better recommendation than that!

For tickets, visit grandtheatre.co.uk or call 01902 429212.