Mamma Mia | Venue Cymru

Mamma Mia, which is the fifth longest running show in West End History and the third longest running musical, is currently bringing the sunshine and good vibes to venues around the UK as part of its current UK tour.

Set to the soundtrack of some of ABBA's greatest hits (and there are many!), Mamma Mia tells the story of life on a small Greek Island where Sophie Sheridan is set to marry Sky and wants her father to walk her down the aisle - the trouble is, she's never met her father. In a desperate attempt to feel like she has her life figured out, she reads her mother's diary and invites three potential fathers to the wedding to discover who he truly is.

Catherine Johnson's book is silly, chaotic and slightly far-fetched, however, this just adds to the charm of the show. It's light hearted, with heartfelt emotional moments mixed in. Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson were masters of their craft as songwriters, creating a plethora of timeless anthems that perfectly suit musical theatre. It's no easy feat to cram in all the incredible songs throughout ABBA's incredibly successful career, yet Mamma Mia manages to fit in 22 in the standard run time of a musical. Although some songs do feel shoehorned in, with the lyrics having barely any relatability to the story, this is easily forgiven due to the nature of the show.

The talent within this cast is second to none - Jenn Griffin as Donna Sheridan is a vocal powerhouse with performances including The Winner Takes It All and Slipping Through My Fingers being two highlights. Rosie Glossop and Sarah Earnshaw as Donna's two best friends are an absolute riot, stealing every scene with perfectly timed comedy and physicality. Joseph Vella is charming as Pepper, with great charisma in his scenes with Earnshaw. Lydia Hunt and Joe Grundy have a natural chemistry as Sophie and Sky.

Richard Meek, Mark Goldthorp and Luke Jasztal are clearly contrasted in their personalities, lending a hand to some great comedy throughout the show. Meek is delightfully awkward, Goldthorp is care-free and spirited, and Jasztal is clearly still pining for Donna. This allows for the exploration of different character dynamics and relationships, giving emotional depth to the show.

The ensemble must also be commended, for although the show unfortunately uses them sparsely, each member is completely captivating throughout. Their commitment and passion shines through in their performance.

Anthony Van Laast's choreography is energetic and thrives in its moments of ensemble numbers, supported by the punchy band led under the direction of Carlton Edwards. Mark Thompson's set design is simplistic with a white taverna placed central on the stage which is turned into several locations. Whilst this set does feel a little dated, it does the job in allowing quick paced story to unfold without being affected by set changes. Howard Harrison's lighting design works effectively in creating mediterranean sunshine, with bright colours and blue lighting for the evening nightlife on the island.

Whilst Mamma Mia does feel slightly dated in terms of its production design, the undeniable charm of the show and the feel-good factor is the perfect escapism - exactly what you look for in a night at the theatre. Mamma Mia is undoubtedly a global phenomenon; a perfect love letter to one of the most iconic bands in music history.

Mamma Mia plays at the Venue Cymru in Llandudno until Saturday 25th April, where limited tickets remain - more information can be found here.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg