Mamma Mia - The Hottest Ticket in Town

Following on its extremely successful Cape Town run, the worldwide smash hit musical that is MAMMA MIA opened on The Teatro stage at Montecasino last night to give Johannesburg audiences the chance to sing and dance along to, for some people, the soundtrack of their lives. Marianne Thamm of the Sunday Times Newspaper says “You will leave this show with your spirits lifted – and proud of the quality of our local talent”. Rave Review agrees. She could not be more right.

Boasting a cast and band that is all-South African, MAMMA MIA has the mass appeal that producers dream of. It’s guaranteed to delight and enthrall audiences of all ages, genders, race and religion. The true magic of this hit show resonates in both its music and story; one of love, of defining one’s purpose in this world and sticking to the creed that with friends and family by our side, nothing is insurmountable. This is the genius that is MAMMA MIA.

The scenes are set on a Greek island, where on the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s mission to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the here and now where she has no choice but to face up to her past and the decisions which shaped her present.

The story uses ABBA's timeless songs, cleverly weaving them into the most appropriate of places. Songs include crowd favourites such as “Honey Honey”, “SOS”, “Supertrooper”, “Dancing Queen”; “The Winner Takes It All”; “Money, Money, Money” and “Take A Chance on Me”. Each song, sung with energy and passion almost each time evokes a cheer from the crowd with dancing in the aisles an absolute must.

Leading South African theatre producer Hazel Feldman is at the helm once again and you are guaranteed 2 hours of pure bliss. The cast, which features the finest local talent in South Africa, have a certain synergy and chemistry with one another, unlike anything I have ever seen. Award winning actress Gina Shmukler (Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar) plays lead role and mom, Donna Sheridan. The character fits her like a glove. Ilse Klink (Chicago, Isidingo) and Kate Normington (Hairspray, Sunset Boulevard) play Donna’s two best friends. Normington gives the performance of her career playing man-eating Tanya while Klink delivers a sensational feat as adorable and fun loving Rosie. Carmen Pretorius takes on the role of bride-to-be Sophie while Stephen Jubber (Merchant of Venice, High School Musical, Bollywood movies) plays Sophie’s fiancée, Sky.

Christopher Jaftha (Footloose; Boys in the Photograph) and Karabo Maithufi (Cats, Hairspray) are the epitome of ‘coolness’ as Sky’s best friends Pepper and Eddie and after seeing this show; we all want to be their friends quite frankly.

The roles of the three possible dads are played by popular Afrikaans actor and local soapie-star Anrich Herbst (Orkney Snork Nie, Egoli); Murray Todd (We Will Rock You, Invictus) and Neels Clasen (Isidingo, We Will Rock You).

Grab the kids, or the husband, or a bunch of girlfriends. This is one show that is not to be missed. With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, MAMMA MIA is a global smash hit. Enough said?

MAMMA MIA will run from Saturday, 02 October 2010 until 30 November 2010. Show times are Weekdays: Tuesdays – Fridays 20h00. There are no performances on a Monday.

Photo Credits: Pat Bromilow-Downing

*Book at Computicket by calling 083 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or visit your nearest Computicket outlet. Visit www.mammamiasa.co.za . You can also call The Montecasino box office (011) 5107365.

**RAVE REWARD – WE HAVE 2 TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY FOR ONE LUCKY READER. EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC THAT IS MAMMA MIA. TO ENTER, EMAIL US AT RAVERS.REVIEW@GMAIL.COM AND LET US KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD BE WATCHING, LISTENING TO, EATING OR BUYING. THE BEST TIP WILL WIN THE PRIZE!