Mamma Mia

A feel-good explosion of ABBA hits, infectious humour and heartfelt performances, MAMMA MIA! returns to Milton Keynes Theatre with a superb cast who bring plenty of energy, laughter and emotion to this much-loved musical.

More than 25 years after it first opened in the West End, MAMMA MIA! continues to prove why it remains one of the world's most successful musicals. With its irresistible collection of ABBA classics, a wonderfully entertaining story and a talented cast who clearly relish every moment on stage, this latest UK tour is a thoroughly enjoyable night at the theatre.

The story centres on Sophie Sheridan, a young woman preparing for her wedding on a beautiful Greek island. Having discovered that one of three men from her mother's past could be her father, she secretly invites all three to the wedding in the hope of discovering the truth. Naturally, things don't go quite according to plan, leading to plenty of hilarious situations, romantic complications and some surprisingly touching moments.

At the heart of the production is Jenn Griffin as Donna Sheridan, Sophie's fiercely independent mother. Griffin is absolutely terrific in the role, effortlessly moving between the comedy and the more emotional scenes. Her powerful voice does full justice to ABBA's biggest numbers, particularly a stunning rendition of The Winner Takes It All, which is delivered with real passion and emotional intensity. She's equally convincing in the quieter moments, portraying a mother who has spent years raising her daughter alone and is now facing the prospect of letting her go.

There's wonderful chemistry between Griffin and Sarah Earnshaw as Tanya and Lauren Woolf as Rosie, Donna's two best friends and former singing partners, the Dynamos. The three work brilliantly together, creating a believable friendship full of affectionate teasing, shared history and plenty of laughs. Earnshaw brings a delightfully confident, glamorous presence to Tanya, while Woolf makes Rosie a particularly entertaining character, with some excellent comic timing. Their scenes together are amongst the highlights of the show, and their musical numbers are an absolute joy.

The same can be said for the three potential fathers, played by Richard Taylor Woods as Sam, Simon Victor as Bill and Arvid Larsen as Harry. Each brings a distinct personality to his character, and the interaction between the three men is wonderfully entertaining. Their chemistry is just as convincing as that of Donna and her friends, with plenty of humour as they attempt to make sense of the increasingly complicated situation in which they find themselves.

Hazel Baldwin is excellent as Sophie, capturing both the excitement of a young woman about to get married and her growing uncertainty about her family and future. Her relationship with Donna provides some of the production's most touching moments, particularly during Slipping Through My Fingers. Samuel George Downey also impresses as her fiancé Sky, while the supporting cast bring tremendous enthusiasm to the energetic ensemble numbers.

What makes this production particularly successful is just how well everyone has been cast. There isn't a weak link amongst the principal performers, and the relationships between the characters feel completely natural. The humour is delivered with confidence, often producing some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, without ever undermining the emotional side of the story.

Of course, the music is the real star of MAMMA MIA!, and the show delivers hit after hit. From Dancing Queen and Super Trouper to Voulez-Vous, Money, Money, Money and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, the songs are woven cleverly into the story, often taking on new meaning through the characters and their relationships.

The staging is relatively simple but extremely effective, transporting the audience to a sun-drenched Greek island through its whitewashed scenery and colourful costumes. The choreography is energetic and slick, with the larger production numbers filling the stage with movement and colour.

Perhaps the greatest achievement of MAMMA MIA! is that beneath all the outrageous humour, colourful costumes and familiar pop songs, there is a genuinely touching story about family, friendship, love and growing older. The production balances these elements beautifully, allowing the audience to laugh one moment and feel genuinely moved the next.

And when the story is over, the show transforms into a full-blown ABBA party, with a spectacular finale that makes it almost impossible to remain seated.

MAMMA MIA! is everything you could want from a feel-good musical. It's funny, uplifting, brilliantly performed and bursting with songs that audiences of all ages know and love. This touring cast brings fresh energy to a familiar show, with Jenn Griffin's outstanding performance and the excellent chemistry between the principal characters making it particularly enjoyable.

A glorious evening of musical theatre that sends you home smiling, and quite possibly singing ABBA songs for the rest of the week.