Musical Diary :: Mamma Mia! The Australian Tour 2017/2018

Judging from the responses I got from my Instastories of yesterday’s rehearsals and media preview in ABC Studios of Mamma Mia! the Australian musical that is about to be launched in Australia, the enthusiasm for ABBA music lives on. The catchy tunes and clever plot will no doubt make Mamma Mia! a success when it hits the Australian stage, starting with the Canberra Theatre on November 24, 2017, followed by a season from December 26, 2017 at QPACs Lyric Theatre in Brisbane before it hits Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from February 11, 2018, Crown Theatre Perth from May 15, 2018, Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from July 10, 2018 and the Festival Theatre in Adelaide Festival Centre from October 9, 2018.

Blogging mode: With media waiting for the rehearsals to begin for Mamma Mia! in ABC Studios

I was just thinking when I first heard ABBA music and it probably was in the 1980s when I grew up with my aunts who were in their teens listening to ABBA music. It’s definitely music that encourages an audience singalong and group dance party and it was hard to restrain myself from wanting to get up and dance with the performers at rehearsals of the new Australian musical, Mamma Mia! at ABC studios yesterday. We got a glimpse of the bounciest performances and choreography, which is awesome by the way, of ABBA hits such as Money Money Money, Voulez Vous, Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen and the energy from the whole cast is intensely infectious.

Everyone who loves musicals and ABBA music should know the story of Mamma Mia but if not it is set on a Greek Island paradise and inspired by storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs and the story centres around a young bride to be. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.

Mamma Mia! is produced in Australia by Michael Coppel, Louise Withers and Linda Bewick. The Australian production will be Directed by Helpmann Award winner Gary Young, with the creative tea also including Choreographer Tom Hodgson, Musical Supervisor Stephen Amos, Set Design y Linda Bewick, Costume Design by Suzy Strout and Lighting Design by Gavan Swift and Sound Design by Michael Waters. Starring in this brand new Australian production are:

Natalie O’Donnell who plays mother of the bride Donna Sheridan. Natalie began her acting career in 1998 with her professional debut in the Australian production of Les Miserables.
Sarah Morrison who plays Donna’s daughter and bride to be Sophie, is an emerging young Australian actor who has just completed a sell out national tour in the Australian musical Ladies in Back starring in the lead role of Lisa.
Alicia Gardiner, stars as Donna’s vivacious and loyal friend Rosie.
Jayde Westaby joins the Dynamo trio in the role of much married friend Tanya. Jayde from the UK has enjoyed a career on London’s West End appearing in The Rocky Horror Show, Chicago, Sweet Charity, Jersey Boys and Grease amongst others. Most recently she was part of the world premiere season of Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical.
Ian Stenlake, stars as Sam Carmichael, one of Sophie’s unsuspecting fathers. You might have seen Ian in Nine Network’s Sea Patrol, Stingers, Murder Call and Dance Academy.
Phillip Loewe who plays Harry Bright, an investment banker, another man from Donna’s past who could be Sophie’s father. Phillip has appeared in many theatre productions including Crazy For You, Cabaret, Mary Poppins, High Society and recently starred in Georgie Girl – The Seekers Musical.

Ticket sales on now at www.mammamiathemusical.com.au

See.Taste.Do attended as a guest to the media preview thanks to Lucky Star Media
All photography by ©See.Taste.Do, all rights reserved