Mamma Mia! The Musical saw what was initially an audience bursting with energy and enthusiasm dry up to a disappointed, fidgeting crowd. Inappropriate giggles, interruptions, sighs and toilet trips frequented the second half. At least the cast were passionate and clearly having a great time on stage.
As much as I tried to enjoy it, I felt deflated and watched several disgruntled audience members noisily leave. It disappointed, I believe, with mixed singing ability and occasional tedious scenes. At the end, I heard someone swearing that the West End production was far better because it had a different cast.
Theatre Experience ššš
Manchesterās Palace Theatre was rammed but the staff were fantastic and I didnāt even notice how busy it was because of the helpful service. The air-con worked like a beauty too, I wouldnāt have known it was over 20 degrees outside.
The seats werenāt great. Due to poor incline on the floor of the Stalls, I couldnāt see over the ladyās head in front of me. The audience were there to have a good time and it should have been a joyful night. Cheers and whoops sounded as the lights went down ā the atmosphere had enormous potential.
Photo by Brinkhoff/Mƶgenburg
Plot ššš
Taking famous songs from ABBA, this jukebox romantic comedy focuses on the wedding of young Sophie. Sophie conspires against her secretive, ex-popstar mother Donna to try to find out who her mysterious father is. It transpires there are THREE candidates! Chaos ensuesā¦
The plot is easily followed throughout the musical but lacks emotional value and originality. Worse though were some immensely boring scenes ā āChiquititaā, āDancing Queenā, and āSlipping Through My Fingersā sadly included. Better scenes included āTake a Chanceā between Bill and Donnaās best friend Rosie ā really funny stuff. The audience laughed loudly, possibly from sheer relief that the musical wasnāt all bad.
Cast ššš
If it hadnāt been for the ticket prices, I would have thought this musical was a high school production. Both Sophie and Sky were poorly cast. I wondered if they had inhaled helium before coming on stage ā for two engaged, young adults they had strangely child-like voices.
The cast acted as if the director had told them to āact for the old ladies at the back of the hall who canāt see youā. It was patronising and wide-eyed, though this improved in the second half.
BUT Tanya and Rosie, Donnaās best friends (acted by Helen Anker and Nicky Swift) came to the rescue! These two actresses know how to make an audience laugh and played their parts perfectly. The full ensemble was excellent too ā the dancing skills and backing singing were fantastic.
Photo by Brinkhoff/Mƶgenburg
Staging ššš
The stage was designed like a large box; the sides and backdrop were covered with blue wave-like lines (presumably meant to be the sea). The set itself was beautiful and simple, featuring realistic-looking Greek walls, windows and doors but looked dwarfed in the huge box stage.
Clearly aimed at a specific audience, the male ensemble danced in tight, tiny wetsuits with rock-hard abs while the women largely wore baggy, ill-fitting trousers. Take from that what you willā¦ Gender differences aside, the costumes were very good!
Photo by Brinkhoff/Mƶgenburg
Music šš
Audience participation. NOBODY KNEW if this was allowed. Half the audience wanted to sing, the other half didnāt. This should be clarified with a pre-show announcement. The audience-singers gradually grew quiet, feeling guilty about disturbing the non-singers, and the energy in the room died.
It turned out they didn't need to worry about their own bad singing because the main actors on stage couldnāt sing too well either. When the opening song began with Sophieās nasal, child-like voice (albeit very in tune) people glanced at each other. Her tone (not her fault - a poor casting choice) spoilt a lot of songs. Disappointingly Sky was a very weak singer and Donna, although strong in parts, had a few wobbles.
By contrast, the ensemble, Tanya, Rosie, and Donnaās male suitors were all great singers. āVoulez-Vousā was outstandingly good with impressive dancing and singing. The ABBA songs are, of course, fantastic. It was just a shame that the musical felt more like a childrenās karaoke.
The Theatre Bee š
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