From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with a sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads unfolding on a Greek island idyll.
Now in its 26th year, MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 11 million people and has played over 10,000 performances in London’s West End. The MAMMA MIA! International Tour has visited 42 countries in the past 20 years, performed more than 3,900 shows and has been seen by over 7.7 million people. MAMMA MIA! became the 9th longest running show in Broadway history where it played a record-breaking run for 14 years and recently returned to Broadway this summer playing at the Winter Garden Theatre. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China. MAMMA MIA! has been seen live on stage by over 70 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies.
The movie version is said to have been the highest-grossing live-action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008. A second film, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.
Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008. A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, opened in July 2018 and became the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time. Both films starred Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper, with Lily James, Andy Garcia and Cher joining them in the second film.
Before I go any further I do confess to having a long history with MAMMA MIA!, the show and movie, not the song. although I’ve sung along many times to this 1975 classic ABBA favourite.
Although the show hasn’t been around as long as the song itself, there is no doubt it’s high on the list of favourite theatre and movie experiences.
MAMMA MIA! is on the road again (which almost sounds like a line from the song), and gets to the Swansea Building Society Arena from the 13th January next year.
You can watch audience reaction from the show’s previous visit to Cardiff HERE.
If you were to speak to any of the team behind it (which I have on a few occasions), they will each give you a different reason for its success. For me though, it’s the fact it’s as near real life as you can get, with a story many of us can somehow relate to. And that is down to the genius of a Bristolian woman called CATHERINE JOHNSON who actually wrote the story of Mamma Mia, with help from some of the most incredible Benny and Björn songs.
As well as Catherine, the show was brought to the stage by the female-led team of producer JUDY CRAYMER and director PHYLLIDA LLOYD.
Judy is the Creator/Producer of MAMMA MIA! and has produced all 50 productions of the show in more than 440 cities around the world. She told us…..
“I’m delighted to announce this 2025 UK tour cast of MAMMA MIA! and excited for them to step into these roles. Our much-loved musical tells the story of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads, inspired by ABBA’s irresistible hits. We can’t wait for audiences across the country to escape to our Greek island idyll and have the time of their lives!”
This irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world and now there’s never been a better time to see this unforgettable musical. Whatever age you are, you can’t help but have the time of your life at MAMMA MIA!
In case you’ve been living remotely on a Greek Island for the last twenty years and know nothing about the show, here’s the plot.
it is actually set on a gorgeous Greek island and tells the story of Sophie, a bride-to-be who wants nothing more than for her father to walk her down the aisle. That’s going to be tricky though, because Sophie doesn’t know who her father is.
Sophie’s fiercely independent mum, Donna, had three relationships which ever-so-slightly overlapped. So any of three men could be her father. Without her mother’s knowledge, Sophie invites all three to her wedding. What could possibly go wrong?
Casting has been announced for the UK & International Tour……
Jenn Griffin (Donna Sheridan), Ashleigh Jones (Alternate Donna Sheridan), Rosie Glossop (Rosie), Sarah Earnshaw(Tanya), Luke Jasztal (Sam Carmichael), Richard Meek (Harry Bright), Mark Goldthorp (Bill Austin), Lydia Hunt (Sophie Sheridan), Joe Grundy (Sky), Bibi Jay (Ali), Eve Parsons (Lisa), Joseph Vella (Pepper), Ethan Casey-Clothier (Eddie) and William Hazell (Father Alexander) lead the cast.
Further casting includes Brook Blackford-Jenkins, James Brice, Aled Davies, Rebecca Donnelly, Ryan Ebbrell, Erin-Sophie Halliday, Marisa Harris, Natorii Illidge, Jay Jobarteh, Sarah McFarlane, Jacob Morrish, Rachel Oates, Megan Speirs, Cameron Sutherland, Richard Vorster and Maisy Wignall complete the cast.
MAMMA MIA! gets to the Swansea Building Society Arena from the 13th to 24th January next year. Tickets are now on sale HERE.
