Review of Mamma Mia! at the Brighton Centre – which started its week-long run last night

You might think that would mean I wouldn’t be that interested in seeing Mamma Mia! – the musical based on their music – let alone actually enjoy the show when I’m there, but you would be wrong. Very wrong!

Not only is the show fantastic, feel-good and full of energy, it’s fab whether you’re the legendary band’s greatest fan, or just a person who might casually sing or hum along to their songs should you happen to hear one.

Mamma Mia! is playing at the Brighton Centre all this week, with the last performance taking place on Sunday. Lots of the shows (there’s matinees and evening slots) are already sold out, but if you’re quick you can still snap up tickets to a couple of the shows.

And I’d highly recommend that you do. What you’ll get is two hours of pure escapism. I really did almost feel that I was on the Greek island with the cast.

Following the same story as the hit film of the same name, the story follows single mum Donna, whose daughter, Sophie, is getting married.

Sophie reads Donna’s old diary, and realises any of three men could be her dad, so invites them all to the wedding in a bid to find out which it is.

What follows is a funny and touching story, set cleverly to ABBA’s songs, that help to unravel the past and set the characters on a brighter path in the future.

Sara Poyzer, who plays Donna, is excellent in the role. She really commanded the stage and boy can she sing!

Nicky Swift and Helen Anker, in the supporting roles of best friends Rosie and Tanya, provide comedy as well as stellar voices.

And Jena Pandya as daughter Sophie has such a sweet and pure voice that’s a constant joy to listen to.

Having thought I only knew a handful of ABBA songs, I found myself singling along and knowing the words to practically all the musical numbers. Thank goodness they got the audience on their feet to dance along to a few songs at the end, as by that point, my foot tapping was getting dangerously out-of-control!

I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about the evening, which would probably explain why the show has been seen by more than 65 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages to date.

To book tickets, see https://brightoncentre.co.uk/whats-on/2022/mamma-mia/