The hype surrounding the latest touring rendition of Mamma Mia! The Musical is every bit warranted.
After acclaimed stints in Brisbane and most recently Sydney, the cast felt at home on the stage in Perth, with Queensland talent Sarah Morrison (portraying lead Sophie Sheridan), on-point from the moment she stepped into the spotlight and serenaded the audience with the prologue, one of only a few intimate numbers throughout an action-packed, bright and fun evening.
Playing her onstage mother, Natalie O’Donnell breathes refreshing life into the character of Donna Sheridan, and it’s when she’s joined by the Dynamos (Alicia Gardiner as Rosie and Jayde Westaby as Tanya) that the production truly finds its stride, with the trio not only providing the show’s emotional edge but also providing the most laughs and some serious swag, as evident in dramatic affair Money, Money, Money.
It’s not surprising that O’Donnell takes to the character of Donna so well, given she originally appeared as Sophie in the 2001 Mamma Mia! production.
While Stephen Mahy (Sky) and Sam Hooper (Pepper) also had plenty to offer in terms of comedic value, it was the calculated tone of Alex Gibson-Giorgo (Eddie) that stole the show on many numerous occasions, with the potential fathers, Ian Stenlake as Sam Carmichael, Phillip Lowe as Harry Bright and Josef Ber as Bill Austin, all giving solid performances and bouncing well off one another.
All in all, this touring cast have worked out the ebbs and flows of the classic show to near perfection, doing it justice, all the while providing an infectious energy and delivering 22 ABBA classics in a fun and memorable way.
Mamma Mia! The Musical shows at Crown Perth until July 1.
