Melbourne favourite Mamma Mia! returns for a fifth, and surely not final, season. 

As part of the ongoing celebration of being able to safely return to the theatre, this festive season of Mamma Mia! brings to mind the beloved show’s key role in drawing theatregoers back to Broadway after the tragedy of September 11. 

With the jukebox musical hitting new levels of sophistication with Moulin Rouge! The Musical and & Juliet, the wholesome goodness of heart-on-its-sleeve Mamma Mia! can seem a little bit twee. But once those familiar guitar riffs start playing and the backing harmonies fill the air, the audience is soon carried along on blissful waves of nostalgia. 

The genius of Mamma Mia! is in the simplicity of its construction. Working from a concept by Judy Cramer, book writer Catherine Johnson penned a featherlight, feel-good fantasia that sets up the cavalcade of hit songs and then has the good sense to get out of their way and let them work their magic. 

Is the show being cast younger or are we all getting older? Such a guaranteed good time, Mamma Mia! has that if-you-build-it-they-will-come quality that could just trade on its blue chip title. Thankfully, the current tour has been lovingly cast with terrific talent, particularly with Elise McCann and Sarah Krndija looking for all the world like a real mother and daughter as they play Donna and Sophie Sheridan.

Working with a talented cast, director Gary Young has clearly mined the text for all possible emotion and humour. Despite the fanciful premise, characters are firmly grounded in reality and their humanity affectingly shines through. 

Musical supervision from Stephen Amos and musical direction from Hayden Barltrop sees the deceptively difficult songs of Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus performed with the authentic ABBA sound. Tom Hodgson’s lively choreography imbues full company numbers with an infectious party atmosphere.

The current tour is a return of the brand new Australian production that premiered in 2017. Handsome set design by Linda Bewick remains a clear improvement over the basic simplicity of the original, and costumes by Suzy Strout are awash with lush tropical colour. 

McCann tenderly captures the everywoman vibe of dynamo Donna, enjoying warm chemistry with her every co-star. McCann’s natural performance is at its peak through act two, when she delivers lovelorn lament “One of Us” and maternal reflection “Slipping Through My Fingers” with extraordinarily gentle vocals, drawing the audience ever closer to her. The subsequent explosion of “The Winner Takes It All” features meticulously calibrated expression. Bravo!

Krndija is a vivacious delight as Sophie, elevating the role with sharp acting and well honed comic expression. The Sky of Lewis Francis is on the bland side but that is not really an issue given the female energy powering the show.

Martin Crewes plays it straight as genuine love interest Sam Carmichael, playing a key role in raising the stakes of realism at the heart of the romance.

Deone Zanotto nails the delicious vanity of serial divorcée Tanya. Opposite the effervescent and acrobatic Pepper of Jordan Tomljenovic, “Does Your Mother Know” is a true showstopper. 

Bianca Bruce projects earthy warmth as Rosie, setting off serious sparks with Tim Wright (as Bill Austin) in “Take A Chance On Me.”

With basically all of the audience aware of the “reveal” of Harry Bright’s sexuality, Drew Livingston deftly leans into the camp aspects of the role to rousing comic effect. 

A welcome sight for the multitudinous lovers of the show and the perfect opportunity for newcomers to discover its pleasures, Mamma Mia! is jukebox joy for the ages.

Mamma Mia! plays at Princess Theatre, Melbourne until 10 December 2023. For tickets, click here.

Footnote: When seen at Princess Theatre in 2018, the space had been prepared for the mega-season of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It is very pleasing to report that the auditorium of the Prinny has been immaculately restored to her former glory, possibly never having looked better. 

Photos: #1, #2 David Hooley; #3-#6 James D. Morgan