No matter what kind of day you might have been having yesterday, if you were at the highly anticipated opening of Mamma Mia at Bristol Hippodrome, this week you would definitely have been feeling fabulous by the time you left! 

This sensational show has been seen by more than 11 million people across 42 countries over the 26 years it’s been running, and I have no doubt it could continue for the same duration again.

It’s one of those timeless musicals that captures people of all ages. 

I’m a huge fan, having first seen it when I worked for the Clevedon Mercury newspaper just under 20 years ago.

It was the first musical I’d ever seen in London and it was magical!  

Now, almost two decades on, I was excited to see it again and have to say it felt like getting therapy from the stage!

You can’t help but come out of the theatre lighter and happier. I think I may have even had a slight spring in my step this morning!  

For anyone who might have escaped this iconic masterpiece, it takes place on an idyllic Greek island and tells the funny tale of a mother, her daughter, who is about to get married, and her three possible dads! 

I am a huge fan of the films, which Judy Cramer produced after the stage show, and are what I remember the most.

This musical is the same story with everything you love from the film, but with some subtle changes. 

Most noticeably perhaps was the character of Bill Austin (or Anderson in the film), (Mark Goldthorp) who had a very strong Somerset accent on account of him being from Yeovil and this guaranteed the giggles. 

Donna, played by Jenn Griffin, was sensational and I had goosebumps listening to her sing. 

Her trusty Dynamo sidekicks Rosie, (Rosie Glossop), and Tanya (Marisa Harris), really captured the essence of the infamous Julie Walters and Christine Baranski.

They are such well-loved characters in the film and so it was perfect to see them portrayed exactly like that. 

The role of Sophie is usually played by Lydia Hunt, but last night’s performance saw Sarah McFarlane take the reins and wow, was she a great addition.  

The entire cast was brilliant, and I loved the dancing scene with Sky (Joe Grundy) and his friends heading off on the stag night, all dressed in their scuba outfits.  

The entire show is extremely funny, packed full of innuendo, and it was wonderful to hear so much laughter erupting around the theatre. 

The second act opens with Sophie having a nightmare. I don’t remember this from the first time I saw it.

This doesn’t happen in the film, so it kept me guessing about how they would carry out certain scenes and I quite liked this.

It also featured a great song written for the show, called Under Attack and her worries about who should walk her down the aisle. 

On opening night, the audience can sometimes be a little reserved.

There were a few times when groups of people would start clapping along to the music, but not everyone joined in and so it stopped.

I always feel a bit sorry for the cast who are no doubt very excited about performing and I’m sure would welcome the participation.  

The final scene where Sophie and Skye leave to go travelling is uplifting and gentle.

It’s a great end, but we all naturally wanted something lively.

And, we weren’t disappointed!

The entire cast quickly came back on stage to receive their deserved applause and standing ovation and we were treated to three reprises of Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen Waterloo, with everyone singing and dancing!

What a fabulous end to hump day. 

If you haven’t already got your tickets, what are you doing?!

Head over now to grab some of those still available - MAMMA MIA! Tickets | Bristol Hippodrome in Bristol | ATG Tickets 

It is on until Saturday, November 22, before heading onto the New Theatre Oxford and then the Edinburgh Playhouse.

 

Words: Trudi Hodges 

Photos: Brinkhoff-Mögenburg