Donna and the Dynamos are at the heart of Mamma Mia! now at His Majesty's Theatre. Image - courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts
As a big fan of stage shows - and musicals in particular - I’m not sure why it has taken me over 25 years to finally catch a performance of Mamma Mia! But I’m glad I did.
For anyone unfamiliar, Mamma Mia! is a joyful, heartwarming musical set on a beautiful Greek island, where a young bride-to-be, Sophie (Lydia Hunt), sets out to discover the identity of her father by inviting three men from her mother Donna’s (Jenn Griffin) past to her wedding.
What follows is a story full of love, laughter, friendship, and family - all told through the iconic songs of ABBA.
Since it first hit the stage at the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End in April 1999, the show has gone on to be seen by over 70 million people worldwide and after experiencing it in Aberdeen, it’s easy to understand why.
Last night, it burst onto the stage at His Majesty’s Theatre, and from the opening number “I Have a Dream” to the final notes of “Waterloo,” I was absolutely transported to that sun-soaked island setting and totally enchanted by the joy and emotion of this phenomenal theatrical production.
Jenn Griffin is outstanding as Donna in Mamma Mia! Image - courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts
Of course, I have seen the movie many times and I absolutely love it - but what struck me about the stage version was how the simple, yet effective set keeps the action beautifully contained.
You feel part of the story as it unfolds. You’re not distracted by the grandeur and cinematic beauty of the movie’s locations; instead, on stage, the story rightly takes centre stage.
The result is an immersive experience where you become completely wrapped up in the emotion, humour and energy of the characters’ world.
And this is worth emphasising: Mamma Mia! is not just an ABBA compilation or tribute show. It is a musical with a story at its heart, and the songs and music of ABBA complement it to perfection, enhancing every moment with warmth, nostalgia and sheer exhilaration.
Mamma Mia! is pure joy from start to finish at HMT. Image - courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts
The cast are faultless and utterly believable in their roles, bringing both comedy and sincerity in equal measure.
The standout moment for me was when Donna (Jenn Griffin) sings “The Winner Takes It All” to Sam (Luke Jasztal). Perhaps it resonated so strongly because, as a huge ABBA fan, I know the deeply personal story behind the band members’ breakup that inspired those unforgettable lyrics. It was raw, powerful, and completely captivating.
By the time the curtain fell, the entire theatre was buzzing with excitement, and it was impossible not to leave with a huge smile.
Mamma Mia! at His Majesty’s Theatre is pure musical theatre joy and the perfect tonic to wash away any January blues.
It runs at HMT until Saturday, February 7, and you can find more information and tickets via Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Review by Shona Byrne
A fun moment in Mamma Mia! which is now at His Majesty's Theatre. Image - courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts