Mamma Mia! is the feel-good spectacular that everyone needs to see at the New Theatre, Cardiff. This ABBA-filled cult classic dazzles with its catchy songs and energetic chorography that will send to straight to a summery Greek island this icy February. 

Jukebox musicals are always a popular choice with audiences but there’s a reason Mamma Mia stands above the rest. First premiering in 1999 on the West End, the musical would later be adapted in the hit 2008 film starring Meryl Streep. It was clear from the packed audience at the New Theatre that crowds are still very keen to see, and sing along, to this fun-filled fan-favourite. 

In case you are unfamiliar with the story, it all begins on a Greek island, where a wedding is about to take place. 

Sophie (JESS MICHELMORE) is preparing for her big white wedding with her fiancé Sky (CHRISTOPHER FOLEY). 

Sophie spent her whole life on the island, raised by her mother Donna (SARA POYZER). Donna, a former girl-pop sensation, and now independent owner of the small hotel, confides to her bandmates Rosie (NICKY SWIFT) and Tanya (SARAH ESRNSHAW) that Sophie may be jumping into marriage at too young of an age.

 But when Sophie finds an old diary of her mothers, she discovers a family secret.

Donna had been with three men nine months before Sophie’s birth, so any of them could be the father.

 So, Sophie invites them all to the wedding, desperate to discover who she really is. When the three men arrive, she is no closer to discovering the truth – is it Sam (RICHARD STANDING), Bill (PHIL CORBITT), or Harry (NEAL CRAIG)? 

The cast were phenomenal throughout. Every song was sung perfectly with the energy and humour you would expect from the show. Sara Poyzer was amazing to watch as Donna, going from the high energy performances of Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia! to the immensely powerful numbers like Winner Takes It All and Slipping Through my Fingers.

Nicky Swift and Sarah Esrnshaw stole the show with their hilarious performances as Rosie and Tanya. Swift and Phill Corbitt gave an incredible rendition of Take a Chance on Me, which had the whole theatre in stitches. Esrnshaw wowed with the iconic Does your Mother Know, one of the highlights of the whole show. 

Director PHYLLIDA LLOYD has created a beautiful show from start to finish, that will genuinely leave you wanting more. The buzz of the whole theatre after the show was palpable. The three-song encore had audience members of every generation up, dancing and singing along. 

Take a chance and grab tickets as fast as you can! MAMMA MIA! is at the New Theatre in Cardiff till Saturday 4th March. Performances are at 7:30pm every night. 2:30pm matinees are performed on Thursday and Saturday. Click HERE to find out more.