Mamma Mia is a stage musical based on the songs by ABBA. It was written by British playwright Catherine Johnson and composed by two former members of ABBA Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. The plot is purely fictional and based on a daughters quest to discover the identity of her father. On the Greek island of Calicos, Sophie, a 20-year old young woman is preparing to marry her fiance Sky. She wants her father to walk her down the aisle, but doesn't know who he is. Sophie discovers her mother's old diary and finds entries which describe intimate dates with three men. Sophie believes that one of these men is her father and three months prior to the wedding, sends each an invitation to her wedding. What follows is ‘SHEER ENJOYABILITY... A 5-STAR EXPERIENCE’ Daily Mail. Some other reviewers had to following to say about the show. ‘EVERY NIGHT'S A GREAT NIGHT AT MAMMA MIA!’ Andrew Billen, The Times, ‘THE PERFECT TICKET FOR A FEEL-GOOD NIGHT OUT!’ Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph, ‘LONDON’S CLASSIEST MUSICAL’ Fiona Mountford, Metro Life, ‘QUITE SIMPLY, A PHENOMENON!’ Matt Wolf, Associated Press. ‘THIS SMASH-HIT MUSICAL CONTINUES TO DELIGHT AUDIENCES AND IS A PERFECT DISTILLATION OF THAT SUMMER FEELING.’ Evening Standard.
As of 2011, Mamma Mia has been performed in fourteen languages worldwide and grossed over $2 billion. It has been nominated for four Olivier Awards winning one and had 5 Tony nominations. On any given day there are at least 7 performances of Mamma Mia being performed around the globe. A film adaption of the stage production was produced in 2008 starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnon and Amanda Seyfried. It has also achieved amazing success by becoming the third highest grossing musical film of all time behind Grease and Chicago.
While I'm sure Mamma Mia will still be around for a long time to come, when is a better time than now to get online or down to the Prince of Wales box office and get your Mamma Mia tickets.