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REVIEW | MAMMA MIA! - The Musical, UK & International Tour - Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
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Schools back, nights drawing in, but summer is staying for a little while longer...well in Sheffield at least, and for the next two weeks, as Greece comes to Sheffield with the ABBA jukebox musical Mamma Mia.
After its first performance in 1999 playing at the Prince Edwards Theatre, in London the highly popular musical visits Sheffield once more after playing at the Lyceum Theatre for the first time in March 2018. Mamma Mia follows Sophie as she tries to find out who her possible father is out of one of three men, while also bringing her mother to see them once again two decades later, on the eve of her wedding.
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, book written by Catherine Johnson, music and lyrics by ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and choreography by Anthony Van Laast. Mamma Mia is a cheeky, over the top sunny musical, though while being around since the millennium, it begs the question of can it now stand up against other jukebox musicals. This jukebox musical is beloved by many though, as this long running musical continues to run, it sadly starts to show its pit falls feeling a bit dated at times against those that have followed.
Written by Catherine Johnson, Johnson creates a lively musical for the start, with loveable and comical characters, and amusing dialogue, though unfortunately while these are great, and provide the show lots of enjoyable and well liked moments, there are simply not a lot of quiet emotional moments within the spoken dialogue to fully connect with. The show focuses on, and is reliant on, shoehorning in over 20 ABBA tunes, which makes the dialogue short lived and at times being abruptly cut to replace it with a song. Johnson's script is funny and sparks with some cheeky and cheesy adult only jokes, that make the audience laugh out loud, while also writing the theme of friendship pleasingly. The narrative is straightforward and packs some nice moments in such as with Sophie and her three possible dads, and memorable characters, such as best friends of Donna (played by Jenn Griffin) Rosie and Tanya (played by Lauren Woolf and Sarah Earnshaw), but feels a little bit thinly written and doesn't progress much and feels surface for the most part. The comedy is robust, the show certainly inclines itself into a much more of a bright feel good comedy musical, and is the highlight of the writing, but for me I personally feel act 2 contains most of the needed emotion whereas act 1 provides the hits, and misses on more touching moments, which is needed to be added throughout, which I feel wouldn't take away from this cheerful musical, adding what is already created here, which is an uplifting energetic 2 hours.
One half of Swedish pop group ABBA Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, provides the music and lyrics for the show, and as said above, Mamma Mia crams in over 20 ABBA hits from, 'Thank you for the Music', 'Honey Honey', 'Does Your Mother Know' and of course the title song 'Mamma Mia!'. The songs come at you at a rapid pace with sometimes no time to applaud, though for me some of the ABBA hits feel they don't 100% lend themselves to the overall narrative, this doesn't mean to say they aren't great to hear (they are) but some do feel like I ask myself why, and what does this song do to move the plot along. This isn't me saying I didn't enjoy the songs, of course I did - who doesn't love ABBA? They are very memorable, it just somewhat feels here it's more for the fans rather than the show.
Directed by, Phyllida Lloyd, Lloyd's direction is chaotically excellent, such as moments between Sophie (Played by Hazel Baldwin) and friends Ali and Lisa (Played by Rachel Seirian and Lex Richardson) and between Jenn Griffin, Lauren Woolf and Sarah Earnshaw, though it's a shame that act 1 felt slightly lukewarm and felt a struggle to fully get into than act 2, with feeling the energy was yet to fully kick in. There's some nice moments with Baldwin and the individual possible Dad's, Sam Carmichael (Played by Richard Taylor Woods) Bill Austin (Played by Simon Victor) and Harry Bright (Played by Arvid Larsen) with an infectious friendship theme threaded throughout the trios scenes. Lloyd interjects silliness within the direction but where there is emotion draws back and doesn't over complicate. Phyllida Lloyd's work is something to be enjoyed.
The Dynamo trio, Jenn Griffin, Lauren Woolf and Sarah Earnshaw shine with their likeable characters (Donna, Rosie and Tanya), all three display great personalities for their roles. Griffin delivers fab vocals, with also presenting a nice motherly role to daughter Sophie. Griffin's connection with Woolf and Earnshaw is good with the trio showing what is an over the top friendship and produces some of the shows best comedy moments, as well as showing good connections with Woods, Victor and Larsen.
Hazel Baldwin, plays a sweet character in Sophie, Baldwin shines vocally, with also showing a nice connection with Samuel Downey as Sky. Baldwin has brilliant stage presence, always making the audience focus on Sophie when on stage. Baldwin shines bright and delights pleasingly.
A notable mention goes to Ashton Sharp as Pepper who delivers a cheeky character. Sharp always plays with a forward and confident personality of the character which is a great to see.
Choreography by Anthony Van Laast, is uplifting, Laast's work has some nice energy to it but personally feels not that it doesn't quite get there fully to be wowing.
Mark Thompson produces what are sassy, colourful and glittery costumes and they are a joy to see and bring out a campy feel to the show. The iconic designs sparkle brightly on stage among the simple summery colours of blues, whites and creams, as well as shorts and vests throughout the show. They are easily some of the best and most recognisable costume designs in theatre. The same goes to the set design, the set essentially covered in blue which holds down a versatile backdrop for the moveable pieces of the Greek Taverna.
Overall, Mamma Mia continues to be a fan favourite for many, drawing audience members of all ages, though it struggles to hit the mark where it should, unfortunately it doesn't fare from being just a fun lively musical, containing the sweet sound of ABBA, for me I feel that Mamma Mia! has established itself to be now a tick box musical for theatre fans and nevertheless a classic staple for a good night out at the theatre.
★★★
Mamma Mia plays at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre until 26th of September, then continues on its UK and international tour until October 2027:
