Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Bring it On. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Bring it On. Sort by date Show all posts
Monday 28 November 2016
In Conversation With... Shoshana Bean | Concert | Interview
Firstly I want to apologise for how late this interview is. I interviewed Shoshana back in September but unfortunately my phone glitched and I couldn't retrieve the interview so it had to be put off. Thankfully I got it back so you lovely, stagey people can finally read it! So I hope you enjoy this late, but still very interesting and relevant interview from the wonderful Shoshana Bean!
Shoshana is a Broadway veteran who's starred in Wicked, Funny Girl, Hairspray and Beaches to name a few. She's released 3 solo albums, done countless solo concerts as well as those with the Postmodern Jukebox AND she sung back-up vocals for Michael Jackson! There's really nothing this lady can't do!...
Monday 14 August 2017
In Conversation With... Kirsty MacLaren | Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour | Interview
I'm back with another Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour post (see my recent interview with Karen here)! Today I bring you a chat about all things Our Ladies with the lovely Kirsty MacLaren who plays Manda!
For anyone that doesn’t know, can you explain a little about your career and what your highlights have been so far?
For anyone that doesn’t know, can you explain a little about your career and what your highlights have been so far?
Well, for me, doing Our Ladies has been the highlight. I’ve covered so many career goals on this job, from working with National Theatre of Scotland, performing at the National Theatre, touring internationally and now working in the West End. Plus originating a role is a pretty special experience. It’s been the job that has kept on giving, to be honest.
Before I started Our Ladies, and during the breaks we’ve had, I’ve been lucky to do some really diverse work where I’ve learned so much. I’ve worked at Pitlochry Festival Theatre for a year, played Lulu in a series of radio dramas and performed with companies like the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh. These experiences give you the chance to really learn what it is to be an actor.
Were you born wanting to be a performer or did you have another career path in mind when you were younger?
I always has lots of energy as a child and was sent to dance lessons to tire me out. I come from a musical family so was always exposed to different types of music, although I didn't really know anyone who had acted professionally. I loved doing amateur dramatics and going to acting classes when I was little, but I had always wanted to be a lawyer until I sort of fell into doing the arts. I went to a Knightswood Secondary, which has a performing arts school attached, and knew then that I had to go down that path.
Our Ladies is just epically brilliant. When you first started working on it did you know it was something special?
I think that we were all so excited with this piece we had made that we weren’t really thinking about how much of a hit it might be. We certainly couldn't have imagined the success that we have had over the 2 years of doing it. The team that are on it are amazing and we were having such a good time creating this piece of theatre that was totally different to anything anyone had done before. But the reception that we got on our first night at the Traverse is something I’ll never forget.
I saw the show at both The National and at the Duke of York and it didn’t lose any of it’s intimate feel or charm. Does the way you work and rehearse change for different venues?
The show relies so much on story telling so whether you are in a small 100 seat venue or an 800 seat venue, that principle stays the same. What changes is how much you have to project in each venue, but as long as you think about telling the story to the person at the very back or top of the theatre, you can’t go wrong.
There are so many styles of music in the show. Does this come naturally or did you have to learn to sing different styles?
I’m trained in different vocal styles, but rarely do you have to mash them together in one show. It’s tiring on the voice, but once you build up the stamina, it becomes much easier.
How do you keep your voice healthy? Do you have any vocal rituals?
We always do a big group warm up together before the show which gets you ready. It’s really important to rest when you can. I’ve also got a vocal steamer helps stop your voice drying out.
Besides yourself, who would you like to see play your role?
I’m a big fan of Morven Christie. She’s seen the show and tweets about it a lot. I think she’d fit right in with us girls.
Can you sum up Our Ladies in five words?
Bold; life-affirming; hilarious; heartbreaking; female
Have you had any funny onstage or offstage mishaps in the show?
Often! We are always laughing at each other on stage. I remember going on with my mic on the outside of my clothes. The other girls didn't tell me until quite a bit through the show. I didn't know what they were laughing at until I eventually realised, and by that point, it was too late.
Is there a musical or play you’ve seen recently that you loved?
I’ve been able to see quite a lot of theatre this summer while I’ve been in London. I loved The Glass Menagerie and Half a Sixpence - both very different, but both brilliant.
Whats a fun fact people might not know about you?
I work as a fitness instructor in my spare time. Its a great job when I’m not acting as its flexible, plus I can fit classes in during the day when I’m working in a show.
What’s your best piece of advice for an aspiring performer?
Every opportunity is a good opportunity. Whether you're at youth theatre, am-dram, drama school or a professional show, you can learn from every experience. Listen to any advice you can get and never be scared to ask for help.
A huge thank you to Kirsty for doing this interview!
Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour runs at the Duke of York's until September 2nd 2017
Interview by Olivia Mitchell, Editor
Interview by Olivia Mitchell, Editor
Monday 23 October 2017
In Conversation With... Peter Becker | Interview
Peter Becker is currently starring in the UK Tour of War Horse and is the first German person to play Friedrich in the show. He sat down with me to discuss the show and his role...
Can you tell us a little bit about the rehearsal process for War Horse?
Can you tell us a little bit about the rehearsal process for War Horse?
On the first day of rehearsals I was seriously overwhelmed by the sheer scale of things. We were rehearsing in a massive industry complex at Morden Wharf in London and I could not quite get my head around the enormity of the undertaking. There are so many people involved in creating the show! The actual stage floor was already installed, we were immediately provided with all the necessary props and costumes. It felt like stepping into a whole new universe. I was invited to improvise with both horses in order to find out how to interact with them. Since the puppeteers knew everything about the anatomy and the natural behaviour of horses it all felt very natural. Like the audience I totally forgot they weren’t real horses I was dealing with in the matter of minutes. As the horses will solely react on the tone of our voices and the way we move I started speaking German to them. It was very interesting to learn that it didn't matter what language I used, they still understood my intentions and reacted accordingly. The attention to detail and the love that has been invested by the National Theatre is immense.
During rehearsals we had a visit from the Imperial War Museum, providing us with in-depth information. We visited the King's Troops, who answered all questions about the military handling of horses. We had military training, shooting lessons, went to several exhibitions and prepared presentations on the First World War from English, German and French perspective.
What’s the most challenging part about bringing this story to life?
What’s the most challenging part about bringing this story to life?
In Germany actors are mostly hired to play repertoire shows as a permanent cast member with one particular theatre where as over here it is common to play one show with a company every night. I first had to adapt to the different system. In addition, it is very challenging to interact with the horse puppets. On one hand it is very easy to believe they are real as they are so brilliantly manipulated, on the other hand you have to be technically very precise in order to achieve certain effects. Funnily for me the most demanding part was speaking English with a very strong German accent. I am half an Englishman and have a much less pronounced accent in real life. When playing, I got confused at first. It was very interesting to determine how different my brain works when I have to switch back and forth between the two languages. I feel a little delayed sometimes because I will often translate mentally before I react. My voice also sounds different when I speak English I believe.
Can you explain a little about your character?
When introduced at first, we get to know Friedrich as a high-ranking German military officer - shortly after capturing English soldiers. The challenge is to give the "enemy" - from an English perspective - a human face. In the course of the story, Friedrich will lose his beliefs in the concept of war and thus question his entire life. From a dramatic point of view, he reflects Albert's development in a nearly mirror-like manner: Whereas Albert continues to harden, Friedrich, in his desperate desire to defend his humanity, continues to soften through his experience in the war. What binds the two characters together is their unconditional love for the horses.
Besides yourself, which actor in the production is going to blow people away?
I have the privilege of being part of an outstanding ensemble. It is unbelievable what talented actors our Casting Director Jill Green and Director Katie Henry have gathered to bring this enormous show to life. It is merely impossible to emphasise individual colleagues at this point as War Horse is a true ensemble play with everyone contributing equally to it’s success.
You’re the first German Friedrich in War Horse, what’s the experience been like? Do you feel an extra pressure taking on the role?
It is very exciting in many ways to meet this challenge. In Germany, the First World War is completely overhauled by the reprocessing and remembrance of the Second World War. Because of the Germans' war guilt, there is no collective mourning of the dead, we have no equivalent to Remembrance Day. Only in recent years have there been attempts to tell the differentiated history of German soldiers. I too grew up with the image of the unscrupulous murderer, who would literally stop at nothing. Now having the opportunity to give the German soldiers a human face is a great responsibility which stirs me every evening anew. It is important to point out that we are all human beings with the same fears, hopes and needs, especially in those times when we seem to be moving farther and farther apart. Besides, I am very much looking forward to perform before my English family for the first time. My aunts, uncles, cousins and grandcousins have so far only seen me on TV, never on stage before...
What do you think makes War Horse so special and lasting?
To me War Horse almost represents a deep psychological inventory of the British nation. The songs put together by John Tams and performed by Bob Fox are deeply rooted in the DNA of the British people - partly going as far back as Celtic times. The story has a universal character whilst, very concretely taking place in a time that characterises Great Britain to this very day. The unspeakable suffering and the social upheavals, caused by the First World War, which interestingly is called The Great War over here, have in the most brutally possible way ushered in modern society. The audience is invited to witness the transition from 'innocent' country life to technologically alienation. Through the identification with the horses those unconscious experiences are being made accessible again. I believe it is a very cathartic experience for a lot of people.
What do you think will people be saying as they leave the theatre?
No more wars, hopefully.
If you had a magic wand, which show would you do next?
The place in Germany I come from (interestingly founded in the Middle Ages by an English monk from Malmesbury) is home to the largest German open-air theatre festival - the Bad Hersfelder Festspiele. There I saw a stunningly current version of Cabaret last year. The piece has accompanied me since I was 15 as it was the first I ever performed in. Ten years ago I also had the chance to play the role of Ernst Ludwig in Vienna. I would very much like to have the opportunity to bring the time before the Nazis took over to life in English-speaking countries because there are so many obvious parallels to our present time, which I would love to explore - preferably in the role of the M.C.
If you could travel back to any era, when would you go to and why?
Last year I had the opportunity to play in an exciting new series, which will soon be broadcast in England on Sky and in America on Netflix. It is called Babylon Berlin and like Cabaret it is set in the period of change between First and Second World War. An incredibly ambivalent era between joy and despair. A hysterical time in which a whole society is living on the edge. If I had the chance I would love to go back to the Twenties in Berlin to experience what people felt and how ultimate freedom could turn into repression so easily.
Finally, what’s your best piece of advice for aspiring performers?
Our profession is increasingly internationalising. I am personally experiencing just how enriching it is to work in another country at the moment. In this respect, I would advise young actors: Travel as much as you can, learn different languages, the world is great and the possibilities are more diverse than ever before!
Thank you so much Peter for chatting with us! Make sure you catch War Horse on it's UK Tour.
Interview by Olivia Mitchell, Editor
Thank you so much Peter for chatting with us! Make sure you catch War Horse on it's UK Tour.
Interview by Olivia Mitchell, Editor
Wednesday 25 April 2018
Strictly Ballroom, Piccadilly Theatre | Review
Strictly Ballroom
Piccadilly Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 24th April 2018 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Strictly Ballroom is a chilled out, glittering celebration of dance and a refreshing show to add to the list of ones to cheer us up in these dreary times.
Based on Baz Luhrman's 1992 film, Strictly Ballroom tells the story of Scott Hastings, a young Australian man who’s been dancing and winning awards for almost his entire life. He longs to break free of what moves are ‘expected’ and 'strictly ballroom' and pave his own way in the dance world. Enter Fran, just Fran, the overlooked dancer who wants a life of love, passion and to dance with Scott. When Scott starts improvising at a dance competition again, his partner Liz leaves him and he and Fran become secret dance partners.
This show is cheesy beyond belief but it’s also extremely self-aware. The over exaggeration and somewhat cringy humour works because it doesn’t try to be anything other than fun. The characters are larger than life but work to create an embellished version of life as a competitive dancer.
This show is of course, all about the dance and Drew McOnie has done an outstanding job choreographing his West End debut. The moves are sharp, sleek and a real joy to watch. When attending this show, I wasn't aware that it's not a typical musical. In fact, I would describe it more as a play with songs. Will Young takes on the role of Wally Strand who acts as the compere, narrator and singer. His voice is beautiful and he does a fabulous job of performing Marius De Vries' arrangements of hit songs such as Dancing With Myself, Love is in The Air, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and more. This set up doesn't take away from the show at all but it would be nice to see the rest of the company getting a chance to show off their vocals. However, it's the dance that's the star of the show. Taking the place of big vocal numbers, it's stunning to see such colourful, glitzy routines on the stage. The act 2 close of the Paso Doble and Habañera is especially powerful, with Fernando Mira's flamenco routine wowing the audience and proving how emotive dance is.
There’s a running joke that the west end isn’t the west end unless a Strallen sister is in a show. Seeing Zizi Strallen perform you can understand how their talent has made them a crucial part of the London theatre scene. Zizi’s performance is dorky and heartfelt and her character arc throughout is beautiful to watch. It’s truly joyous to watch her perform and you can't help but keep your eyes on her every second she's on stage. I am definitely going to have to bring my apricot face scrub out of the cupboard if it'll make me look like Zizi! Ms Strallen's footwork is also sublime and she works in perfect synchronicity with Jonny Labey who is is dazzling on stage and clearly the perfect choice for the role. The pair of actors are a winning combo.
Anna Francolini is suitably hilarious as Scott's mother who lives vicariously through him- her comedic timing is outstanding. Eve Polycarpou is sweet and endearing as Fran's Abeula and her latin vocals really stand out amongst the rousing music. The ensemble of Strictly Ballroom are great, all with clear personalities in their dancing duos. Gabriela Garcia and Liam Marcellino really stand out as Vanessa and Wayne. The entire cast work brilliantly together to create a polished show.
It's a lovely feature to have the band live on stage and it's amazing how they become part of the action rather than being overshadowing at all. Catherine Martin's costumes are as sparkly and over the top as you could want and Soutra Gilmour's set is simplistic but emotive. This production is well thought out and it's clear to see how much care and love has gone into it from the entire cast, crew and company.
It's time to escape the grey for the colour filled dance hall of Strictly Ballroom. Bogo Pogo your way to the Piccadilly theatre for a spectacularly sparkly experience, and a fun, chilled out night that'll make you want to get out of your seat and dance.
Strictly Ballroom runs at the Piccadilly Theatre until October 20th 2018
photo credit: Johan Persson
Sunday 4 June 2017
In Conversation With... Rachel Tucker | UK Tour | Interview
Rachel Tucker is basically theatrical royalty, with a an impressive resume, an incredible voice and an extremely dedicated following. Currently touring the UK and about to start her second stint at the Zedel in London, Rachel was lovely enough to discuss what we can expect in her concerts, how she stays motivated, her dream role and much more...
What are some of your career highlights so far?
Wicked on Broadway, it was my absolute dream. The I'd Do Anything programme was a highlight, I loved it, it was great. Oh Wicked 10 is definitely the most recent highlight, it was amazing and a great night.
What keeps you motivated to keep working even when you're knocked down?
I guess the belief in myself, I know I can do it. I think people get confused with not getting the job, they think that it's a personal thing and 99% of the time it's not. It's just you're not right for them or at that particular time or moment for whatever their reasons are. But it's about remembering that it's not me, it's them. I mean not them, but their choice, not because I'm bad but because they don't want me.
Elphaba is obviously a very iconic role. How do you add your own spin on such well known songs and characters?
I try and approach it with a fresh look at it and as close to Rachel as I can because I think it's important to not copy and not be what everybody else thinks you should be and also because it's boring to do it the way someone else has done it when you're not being true to yourself. I'm a very honest person and I think it's very important to be honest with everything you think and how you approach the music and songs and interpret it as close to yourself as you possibly can.
You have a lot of repertoire, so what can people expect when they come and see you perform your solo concerts?
I like an eclectic collection of songs. I've grown up with old school musicals and entertainers and also love very current stuff like Ed Sheeran and I love standards, like some jazz standards. I also love modern musical theatre as well as the old stuff. So yeah, a real mixed bag. A real collection... and a few surprises thrown in for good measure!
If you could bring any guest star on stage with you, dead or alive, who would you pick?
Sammy Davis Jr, Bette Midler and Sting. Oh and probably Beyonce!
You've performed in a variety of venues both in shows and on tour. Do you prefer the bigger, elaborate ones or the smaller, more intimate ones?
They're all different, each of them brings a different thing. The intimate ones I think will be good to start out for me because they're more informal and I love that. You know, I'm not a formal girl, I love being casual and being able to see people and their reactions so that'll be nice. But I also love the big theatres where you have to look up to the balcony and get people joining in and singing along. So I like both.
You're taking this tour to Broadway with 54 Below, but would you ever consider touring it over there?
I think maybe in time, I mean it's taken ten years for me to be able to realistically tour the UK and these things I think take time so I think it'll be a little while longer before doing anything like that in America.
What's one talent you wish you could have?
I wish I could read music or play an instrument. Specifically the piano!
What are some funny moments you had either on stage or off stage?
Oh wow.... funny moments. I'm trying to think what ones I can tell you! At one point when I first did Wicked, I came back from holiday and I completely left out the whole bit of why Elphaba snatches the green bottle before 'Popular'. I literally couldn't remember a word of it and poor Gina Beck had to prompt me and say "was it because your mum was.....?" and she had to literally recite the whole paragraph and I just agreed with her. It was very scary!
Have you ever sneezed or got the hiccups in a performance?
Oh yeah completely. When I did The Wizard of Oz in Belfast, someone sneezed to me and I couldn't finish my lines cause I was laughing so hard. So absolutely, yes.
If you had a magic wand, which show would you do next?
Ohhh which show would I do next? I'd probably do a new show, a brand new show to originate and create a new role, yeah.
If you could go back to any era, when would you go to?
I think I'd go back to the 60s or actually probably the Hollywood MGM era like 20s or 30s
What is your go to karaoke song?
I recently went with my friend and I did 'Simply The Best' by Tina Turner!
What's the best piece of advice you've received or would like to give to someone hoping to get into the performing industry?
You've got to absolutely know your worth, know how good you are and be realistic with yourself and whether you can hack this industry. And think seriously if there's something else you could do then you probably should go and do it because you know, there was nothing else I could do and I think you've got to be very dedicated and very driven and passionate and care a lot about it. And have patience, it takes years and years to get anywhere. It doesn't just happen over night!
A huge thank you to Rachel for taking the time to talk to me. All of Rachel's shows at the Zedel are currently sold out but you may be lucky and get a return! All information about her upcoming dates can be seen here.
Interview by Olivia Mitchell, Editor
Tuesday 26 September 2017
In Conversation With... Oliver Ormson | The Addams Family | Interview
Have you always wanted to be a performer or did you have a different dream when you were younger?
I think when I was really young I wasn’t too bothered, I think the first ever thing I wanted to be when I was really young was a policeman. But I was interested in football from a young age cause of my dad so probably a footballer really… But my mum was interested in amateur dramatics so I went that way when I was older. About the age of 16/17 I decided I wanted to be an actor.
Can you explain a little about The Addams Family and how your character Lucas fits into it?
The Addams Family is the classic everyone knows but it’s ten years on and in this story Wednesday (Carrie Hope Fletcher) is all grown up and she’s fallen in love with an American boy from a normal background and I’m that American boy!
So the Addams invite the Bieneke's round for dinner because Wednesday’s got a little secret and it’s a secret she’s kept from her parents. So the main premise is inviting a ‘normal’ family into the Addams family mansion where there’s all sort of ghouls and ghosts going on.
Lucas Beineke is that all-American boy but he likes the darkness and he’s intrigued by it. He’s come from a normal family and the first time he meets Wednesday she shoots a pigeon with an arrow and it lands by his feet in central park and he just falls in love with her straight away cause she’s so different from the background he grew up with.
So Lucas looks all clean cut but he does have a hint of the darkness as well!
Are you anything like Lucas and what drew you to the role?
It was more the project that drew me in. It’s the first time it’s been done in the UK by a professional company. It’s very rare these days that you get the opportunity to create your own role. So I am the first professional Lucas in the UK arnd Ireland so it’s really wow because I get to create and make things which doesn’t happen a lot. Especially on a tour which has been done time and time again; they tell you where to stay on a straight line but I had the chance to play with it which was amazing.
Probably the thing that I’d say that is the Oliver Ormson in Lucas is that I’ve tried to make him a bit dorky. Just a bit silly in that embarrassing phase where you go round to your partner’s house for the first time as a teenager and you’re sort of tripping over your words cause you’re trying to impress so it’s that sort of dorkiness. He just reacts to situations and doesn’t really think about it; he’s trying to be cool so he’s a bit dorky!
Who else besides yourself would you like to see play Lucas?
Oh wow, that’s really hard! I think it would have to be, and I know it’s cliched cause he’s massive at the moment, but it’d have to be Ben Platt. You know, he’s a fellow Hufflepuff as well! He tweeted saying that Evan Hansen is a Hufflepuff and I tweeted saying so is Lucas Beineke so I think we have the same sort of taste. I think he has that character cause he’s done it everyday like that twerpiness and he would sing it like an absolute dream! Unfortunately he’d probably be much better than me but as long as I’m gone and out the picture he can happily have it!
You’ll have to switch and be Evan while he’s Lucas!
Yes! Please make it happen, I’ll get you tickets to the opening night if you can make it happen!
Who in the show would you say is most like their character?
I would say Cameron Blakely who plays Gomez Addams cause he is crazy. He’s full of voices and full of character and he has a little daughter himself, a beautiful little daughter who’s three or four and you can see he has that protective side that Gomez has in the show over Wednesday. But he’s also that embarrassing dad so I’d definitely go with Cameron as Gomez.
If you were one of the ancestors, what would your crazy cause of death be?
This is really cool… erm maybe something silly when I was drunk or something? Yeah something silly like falling in a lake and my ancestors prop would be a can of lager or a pint!
What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not on stage?
This sounds quite cliched but I like to keep fit cause you never know when this jobs gonna end. I do a lot of dancing, not so much in this show but I’ve danced in other shows so I try and keep that up. I don’t wanna relax too much to think I just have to sing and act cause the next job you might wanna do could have a a tap number in it or something like that.
Yeah just try and keep fit really, go to the gym and I’m quite a boyish boy so watch Netflix or football or play games like video games so very cliched unfortunately!
I know you’re a big Harry Potter fan, so if you could bring anyone or anything from the Potter world into our, what or who would you bring?
I would just like a wand. You know, just the elder wand would be fine, the casual elder wand! That’s what I’d bring because I was thinking about the invisibility cloak and stuff but I think after a while that might get a bit boring!
And if you have the wand you can get other stuff with it!
Exactly, like with the wand you can do crazy spells!
Well that’s a lovely segue as my next question is: what show would you wish to do if you had a magic wand?!
As I mentioned I love Dear Evan Hansen but I’ve always wanted to play Fiyero in Wicked. I watched it and thought it was really magical and cool and people always say to me “you could play Fiyero, you can do that!” so if I actually do it I can shut those people up… in a nice way
If you could go back to any era, when would you go to any why?
I love the 80s. I was born in the 80’s, well only just by like 2 months in ’89 so I always claim that I’m an 80s child but to properly go and experience it and to actually live in that time I'd love. And I’ll see my mum and dad in their 20s which would be so weird!
Finally, what is your number one piece of advice for an aspiring performer?
There’s this amazing Bryan Cranston philosophy and he says to just act, just get yourself out there and act. Even if it’s just a local drama group, just hone your skills. Even if you’re doing an amateur production of Fiddler on the Roof you’re gonna learn things from that, you’re gonna be with people that have maybe done professional work before. So I’d say just act and be proactive and productive cause then you learn.
As professional actors we have stories of how we once did am dram and how that helped. So everyone starts somewhere. I think some people think that you come out of college and you go straight into the West End and all of a sudden you’re just a professional actor but you learn a lot of things before that. So just be creative and play and try things out, you’ll always learn things.
Do that and make sure it’s what you want to do and then pursue college or drama school which is an important route in my opinion but you can still do it without that. So go and learn, go and be proactive and just hone you’re skills.
Thank you so much to Oliver for taking the time to chat to me. The Addams Family runs at the New Victoria Theatre until the 30th September before continuing on it's tour.
Saturday 9 March 2019
Mamma Mia, Novello Theatre | Review
Mamma Mia
Novello Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 6th March 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★
It's a cult classic, it's summery fun, it's the music of ABBA and altogether it's a great night out. It's never going to be the most theatrically enthralling or deeply emotive piece of theatre but Mamma Mia is a boat load of laughs and a perfect carefree way to spend a couple of hours.
In case you've somehow missed it, Mamma Mia is set on a Greek Island where Donna Sheridan lives with her daughter Sophie, who is getting married to ex-banker Sky. Sophie is on a mission to find her dad so invites her three potential fathers to her wedding. What ensues is a journey where past emotions are brought up, and the importance of family is examined and everyone bops out to a bit of ABBA. When it opened in 1999 in London, very few would have imagined the worldwide success of the Mamma Mia franchise and it seems that this success is in safe hands with the current West End cast who are helping it celebrate it's 20th Anniversary.
Having recently taken over the role, Charlotte O'Rourke is super sweet is Sophie Sheridan. Bringing the sweet vocals we all expect as well as power in act two. Alongside Alec Porter as Sky, the pair make a nice duo and give an especially entertaining performance in Lay All Your Love on Me.
Leading lady Donna is a pretty extensive role which requires some big vocal chops. At this performance, Caroline Deverill took on the role and did so with both honesty emotion and exuberant energy. Songs such as The Winner Takes It All and Money, Money, Money were stand outs of the night. As her Dynamos, Jennifer Hepburn (Rosie) and Kate Graham (Tanya) gave spandex filled performances and delivered their witty lines with a freshness that the audience clearly loved.
Sophie's three dads were played by Mark Isherwood (Harry), Stephen Beckett (Bill) and Richard Trinder (Sam). The three get the audience on their side immediately and give wonderfully comedic and heart warming performances. Their complex relationships with each other, Donna and Sophie are well played out and extremely entertaining.
The ensemble work hard to bring the Greek island to life in terms of choreography as well as providing backing vocals to most of the show. There did seem to be come vocal imbalance throughout, with the leads often being almost silent but this was rectified by the mega-mix ending.
Mark Thompson's basic set is cleverly used with the addition of props and lighting to simplistically put the story across and compared to other shows does feel a bit dated and overly basic, but it does the job and that's all you can ask for, and expect, with a show like this.
With the Mamma Mia sequel recently being released and the ABBA love being felt more than ever, it's no surprise that this show continues to be a success. It's not a categorically 'great' musical but it's super energetic, platform filled and as much fun as you wish it would be.
Tickets for Mamma Mia can be booked via www.londonboxoffice.co.uk
photo credit: Brinkoff/Mögenburg
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