EntertainmentTheatre

Mamma Mia at the Edinburgh Playhouse Review

mammamiamayflowerMamma Mia
Edinburgh Playhouse

29 November to 7 January 2017

www.atgtickets.com/edinburgh

Reviewed by Dawn Watson

After being introduced to the wonderful music of ABBA from a young age by my dad I have always loved listening to their music. When the film adaptation of the book by Catherine Johnson was released I was enthralled and loved every minute of their music being brought to life. So to then be able to see their music told through the story of Mamma Mia on stage I was really delighted. With over 22 of ABBA’s hits you know you will be tapping your feet and singing along before you know it.

Mamma Mia the musical first opened in London in 1999 and has been taken all over the world since then. Mamma Mia is not an autobiography of ABBA, it is a wonderful story of love, friendship, relationships and fun. It takes you on a romantic journey told through some of ABBA’s most famous songs such as ‘Winner Takes It All’, ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘ Take A Chance On Me’. The songs take on new meanings as you relate them now to the story being told of a young girls dream to find her dad to give her away at her wedding, in Greece where she grew up with her mum.

I love how there are strong female leading characters who bring laughter, fun and at times tears as they tell how they are feeling through the songs. I particularly love when Sophie’s mum, Donna Sheridan (played magnificently by Sara Poyzer) sings on the day of her daughter’s wedding to her ‘Slipping through my fingers’… you could hear a pin drop the atmosphere was electric, as all mums in the audience could relate to how they would feel or felt on their own daughter’s wedding.

The whole stage setting was simple but effective… the show was really about the music, the dance and the story being told. The audience were joining in with all the well-known songs, and the atmosphere was as if you had been invited to a large family party and we were all enjoying being part of it.

The whole cast were simply brilliant, from the dancers who brought fun and laughter to the show, to the magnificent main characters who simply shone with pure brilliance, each being chosen perfectly for their parts and played their parts so well you felt you had known them for years.

I loved the dynamics and relationship between Donna and her ex, who she had always loved, Sam. Sara Poyzer voice gave me shivers, she is brilliant!

Special mention has to go to Jacqueline Braun who played Rosie, she brought such laughter and fun to the show, I am sure many women in the audience related to her feisty, full of life character.

I absolutely loved, loved this musical. I could watch it over and over. I sang, I danced, I cried, I laughed and most of all I loved every minute. I took my 76 year old mum and she felt the same as me, she said she wanted to be on the stage with them.

And just when you thought it was over… they came back and sang more, WOW!

Mamma Mia is for everyone no matter what age, and even if you are not a fan of ABBA, I can guarantee you will be after this fantastic show!

The Edinburgh Playhouse is easily accessible by all public transport routes and has ample parking nearby.

Rating: 5/5 thumbs_up

Tickets cost from £15 to £68 (plus £4 transaction fee).

Mamma Mia is at the Edinburgh Playhouse until 7 January 2017. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3014.

Edinburgh Playhouse, 18–22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA | 0844 871 3014

5Star

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