Mamma Mia! announces new cast members
You'll be having the time of your life 🕺
Ahead of its 25th anniversary on 6th April 2024, producer Judy Craymer has announced the new cast of the MAMMA MIA! from Monday 9th October 2023 and the extension of its booking period to Saturday 28th September 2024 at London’s Novello Theatre.
The London cast will continue to star Mazz Murray as Donna, Christopher Dickins as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Meg Hateley as Sophie and Miles Henderson as Sky, with Jennifer Adab continuing as Donna at certain performances. Jessie Odeleye moves from Ensemble to play the role of Ali.
They will be joined on Monday 9th October by Kate Graham (previously played Tanya in London from 2017 to 2019 and most recently played Diane in Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre) as Tanya, Nicola-Dawn Brook (Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco for the European Big Top Tours, Royal Albert Hall and World Arena Tour; West End credits include Copacabana, Fame, Aspects of Love) as Rosie, Haydn Oakley (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes at Barbican, Joseph/Jesus in The Book of Mormon at Prince of Wales Theatre and Henri Baurel in An American in Paris at Dominion Theatre) as Sam, Olivia Brookes (Glory Ride at The Other Palace and Pretty Woman: The Musical at the Savoy) as Lisa, Chay Wills (The Cher Show UK & Ireland Tour) as Eddie and Arcangelo Ciulla (Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre) as Pepper.
Also continuing in the cast are Sinéad Courtney and Lawrence Guntert. They will be joined by Aaron Archer, Amy Barker, Matthew Barrow, John-Paul Birss, Daniel J Brian, Izzy Cross, Ellis Dackombe, Lauren Dawes, Léa Desjacques, Samantha Ivey, Jennie Jacobs, Luke Jasztal, Nicole Lupino, Flyn Mullins, Hayley-Jo Murphy, Bradley Perret, Jacob Ritzema and Ella Tweed.
Find out more about Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia the musical isn't just for fans of ABBA, this jukebox musical will turn anyone into the ultimate dancing queen. One of the longest running West End shows, Mamma Mia! the musical has consistently filled the hearts of millions of audience members and doesn't look like stopping any time soon.
From how to get tickets, what Mamma Mia! The Party is all about and exactly who is in the cast, here's everything you need to know.
What is Mamma Mia! about?
Mamma Mia! the musical is about a mother and daughter duo, three potential dads and one long walk up the aisle. Set in Greece, Sophie's quest to find out who her real father is brings three blasts from the past to the island and into Donna's life. What unfolds is laughter, adventure and a whole lot of love.
How long has Mamma Mia! been running in the West End?
Mamma Mia! opened in the West End on 6th April 1999, with 2022 the show's 23rd birthday. It currently stands as the fourth longest running West End musical but could soon be making it to third place in the next couple of years.
Is Mamma Mia! the musical based on the films?
It's actually the other way around, the Mamma Mia! film is an adaptation of the stage musical!
How many Mamma Mia! films are there?
There are currently two Mamma Mia! films, the first one was released in 2008 and the follow up came in 2018 called Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! Rumours are circulating that there could be a third film in the works!
Who wrote Mamma Mia?
The musical is packed with ABBA's greatest hits which were written by original band members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Benny and Bjorn were joined by an incredible creative cast including producer Judy Cramer, book writer Catherine Johnson, director Phyllida Llloyd and choreographer Anthony Van Laast.
WATCH: How well does Mazz Murray know Mamma Mia!?
How long does a performance of Mamma Mia! last?
Mamma Mia! lasts for two and a half hours.
Where can I see Mamma Mia! in London?
Mamma Mia! is on at the Novello Theatre in London's West End. The theatre can be found in Aldwych, just off the Strand. The nearest tube stations are Covent Garden (Piccadilly line), Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) and Temple (District and Circle lines).
How to get tickets for Mamma Mia!
Tickets for Mamma Mia start at £17.50 and are available online. The show is currently booking through until 30th September 2023.
For accessibility enquiries for the Novello Theatre you can contact their access department by emailing access@delfontmackintosh.co.uk or calling 0344 482 5137. Further information can be found on the Delfont Mackintosh Theatres website.
When did Mamma Mia! re-open?
After being forced to close by the COVID-19 pandemic the musical will be entertaining audiences in London once again from 25th August 2021.
What is Mamma Mia! The Party?
Mamma Mia! The Party is an immersive experience combining an incredible show, a four-course meal and an ABBA disco. As you enter the Nikos Taverna, you'll really feel part of the whole Mamma Mia! experience and the party promises to be an event like no other. A must for Mamma Mia! fans!
Where is Mamma Mia! The Party being held?
Mamma Mia! The Party is being held at London's 02 Arena in a purpose built Greek taverna.
How can I get tickets for Mamma Mia! The Party?
Tickets are now back on sale for Mamma Mia! The Party and you can get them by calling the booking hotline on 0844 844 9545 or by booking online. Tickets for Mamma Mia! The Party start at £85 and will incur a 12% booking fee. information about types of seating and their respective costs can be found on the Mamma Mia! The Party website.
Scroll through some of our favourite jukebox musicals!
& Juliet
One of the newer entries to the jukebox musical list is & Juliet, which imagines what would have happened if Shakespeare's famous character hadn't died at the end of his play and what would come next. The show is packed with the music of producer and songwriter Max Martin who's behind the hits of some of the biggest pop artists including Britney Spears, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande and the Backstreet Boys.
The musical includes songs such as 'Baby One More Time', 'It's My Life' 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' and a brilliant mash up of 'Teenage Dream' and 'Break Free'.
Bat Out of Hell: The Musical
Based on Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album trilogy, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical is not a spectacle to be missed! The story is loosely based on the story of Peter Pan but set in a post-apocalyptic Manhattan which is now ruled by tyrannical ruler called Obsidian.
The show's score includes many fan favourites such as 'Bat Out of Hell', 'You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)', 'It's All Coming Back to Me Now', and 'I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)'.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
This musical is exactly what you'd expect from the title, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical tells the story of the singer and songwriter, Carole King.
The musical is packed with music written by Carole and those she worked with. Some of the songs included are 'Take Good Care of My Baby', 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow', '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman', and 'I Feel the Earth Move'.
Jersey Boys
When you think about jukebox musicals there's no doubt that Jersey Boys would come to mind! Since it opened on Broadway back in 2005 Jersey Boys has become a global sensation! The musical stays close to its source material as the plot revolves around the history of The Four Seasons (AKA Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons).
Using the seasons as a story telling device the musical gives each band member their chance to narrate the story. The musical includes some of The Four Seasons' most famous songs including 'Sherry', 'Big Girls Don't Cry', 'December 1963 (Oh What a Night)', and 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You'.
Mamma Mia!
It's fair to argue that Mamma Mia is probably one of if not the most successful jukebox musicals of all time. Featuring the music of the Eurovision-winning band ABBA, Mamma Mia takes us to a Greek Island where 20-year-old Sophie is set to marry her fiancée. Sophie wants to invite her father to the wedding however she doesn't know who he could be. After finding her mother's diary she finds out there are three possible contenders and decides to invite them all to the wedding!
The West End production opened back in 1999 and includes so many of ABBA's greatest hits including 'Take a Chance on Me', 'Dancing Queen', and 'Voulez-Vous' to name a few. A film adaptation was released in 2008 with an A-list cast including Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, and Julie Walters. The film was a huge success and got its own sequel – Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again 10 years later which starred Cher!
Moulin Rouge!
Originally made as a musical film, Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge! has been adapted as a stage show with new additions to its phenomenal score. Set in Paris' iconic venue Moulin Rouge is a story of love set in a surreal world with high camp mash ups!
After success on Broadway the show has now entertaining UK audiences in London's West End!
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
This musical has become a classic musical beloved by the LGBT+ community, based on the 1994 film of the same name, Priscilla Queen of the Desert takes us on a road trip across Australia as three drag queens travel to a perform in a show.
Despite being a fun and whacky adventure with some queer anthems such as 'Don't Leave Me This Way' , 'Go West' and 'MacArthur Park', Priscilla is unafraid to take on the tough realities of the homophobia and transphobia still suffered by the LGBT+ community.
Return to the Forbidden Planet
Probably one of the lesser-known musicals on this list, Return to the Forbidden Planet is a gem of a silly-but-fun musical. With a plot based on Shakespeare's The Tempest and the 1956 sci-fi film Forbidden Planet this musical plays wonderful homage to classic science fiction. The musical is packed with the rock 'n' roll hits of the 1950s and 60s such as 'Great Balls of Fire', 'Good Vibrations', 'Teenager in Love', and 'Shake, Rattle and Roll'.
Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages takes us back to 1987 where the Bourbon Room, a Hollywood bar is under threat by developers who want to clean up the Sunset Strip's reputation for 'sex, drugs and rock-n-roll'! The show is filled with classic rock anthems such as 'Don't Stop Believin', 'We Built This City', and 'Here I Go Again'.
The musical was adapted into a film in 2012 which included a star-studded cast including Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Mary J. Blige!
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
Based on the life of the legendary singer, TINA: The Tina Turner musical explores her humble beginnings in town in Tennessee to growing into a global superstar. The show is packed with some iconic hits such as 'River Deep Mountain High' and 'Proud Mary'.
We Will Rock You
Does anyone else miss the statue of Freddie Mercury that used to stand at the front of the Dominion Theatre? The statue was a prominent fixture of the theatre throughout We Will Rock You's 12-year West End run. With the incredible music of Queen, We Will Rock You took us to a dystopian future where all non-computer generated music is banned and all instruments have been locked away!
The show is jam packed with brilliant characters and amazing Queen songs including 'Radio Gaga' (with some updated lyrics), 'Somebody to Love', 'Killer Queen' 'Under Pressure', and 'Seven Seas of Rye'.
Read more:
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