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SCENE IT: Light-hearted, sleek MAMMA MIA! an ABBA fan’s delight
Barbara Loots
Having entertained millions of musical fans in more than sixty countries since it premiered in the West End in 1999, Showtime Management has brought the crowd-pleasing MAMMA MIA! back to South Africa to the great delight of many ABBA fans.
The origin of MAMMA MIA! is found in ABBA’s hit song, “The Winner Takes it All”. It is said to have inspired British producer Judy Craymer to pitch the idea of this tribute show to Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. When Craymer got the go-ahead, Catherine Johnson set to work to connect the songs to a story, and so a nostalgia-driven hit show was born.
As this is not the first time MAMMA MIA! graces South African stages, by now it is no surprise that the narrative should not be too closely interrogated. In a nutshell: girl, raised by a single mom, lives on a Greek Island. She’s engaged but doesn’t want to get married without knowing who her dad is. She reads her mom’s diary and invites possible paternal candidates to her wedding. Mom (while catching up with her besties) is caught off guard by the arrival of three ex-lovers on the doorstep of her taverna. Secrets and panic turn into comedy, and happy endings follow.
With an abundance of innuendos, the story serves only as the lighthearted skeleton that allows this musical to string together in some logical sequence much-loved songs that have audiences bopping their heads and tapping their feet: As a jukebox musical, MAMMA MIA!’s big appeal is undoubtably and unapologetically ABBA’s greatest hits. The current South African cast clearly knows how to belt out these Europop disco classics with vivacity, to such a high standard that you will find yourself humming earworms like “Super Trouper”, “Voulez-Vous” and “Dancing Queen” for days after seeing it. It’s a lighthearted theatrical jaunt that will delight any ABBA fan, even the not so die-hard ones.
At the centre of the production, Amra-Faye Wright shines as single mom, Donna. Her performance is a commanding mixture of glamour, grit and vulnerability, which serves as the show’s emotional anchor. Donna is supported by her two besties Tanya (Samantha Peo) and Rosie (Lindy Abromowitz Sachs), who also happen to be her fabulous Donna and the Dynamos back-up singers. Peo delivers her poised, sharp-witted and deliciously self-absorbed Tanya with serial flirt confidence. Abromowitz Sachs brings warmth and uninhibited comedic flair to her Rosie. Together the trios' chemistry and talent result in an exuberant salute to female comradery and the power rooted therein.
Leah Mari (Sophie, daughter of Donna) and Jock Kleynhans (Sky, Sophie’s fiancé) play well off each other as the young lovers navigating their way through the obstacles in their way to the altar. Their onstage pairing feels natural. MAMMA MIA! also provides a platform for Mari to showcase her beautiful voice with some lovely solos.
Paul du Toit (architect, Sam Carmichael), Tiaan Rautenbach (travel writer, Bill Austin) and Matt Newman (banker, Harry Bright) are perfectly cast as the three possible dads. They lean into the distinct personality traits of their characters with ease and have great rapport with Donna and the Dynamos. In particular, Abromowitz Sachs and Rautenbach have wonderful comedic chemistry, while Peo’s perfectly timed punchlines are textbook counters to Newman’s sweetly awkward Harry. It’s also a treat seeing Paul du Toit back on a South African stage. With his character, Sam, being the lost sweetheart that haunts Donna most, Du Toit and Wright strike a very entertaining balance in their amusing love-hate-love relationship, while delivering super vocal performances too.
The production is undeniably sleek and the pacing is fast without feeling rushed. The cast presents as a cohesive unit, with not a bum note or foot out of step. The choreography is a particular stand-out with this staging. As generally associated with MAMMA MIA!, the set is minimalistic and functional: a Greek inspired blank canvas that allows the performers to show off their skills, aided with great styling that projects the right disco-island vibe. All the elements work together seamlessly to transport the audience to an island where all things ABBA is the name of the game.
With this joyful production, you will be hard pressed to not give yourself over to a bit of a giggle and leave with a smile on your face. So why not treat your ABBA-loving heart to a ticket for MAMMA MIA! at the Artscape Theatre.
MAMMA MIA! is on stage at the Artscape Theatre until 11 October 2026 until it transfers to Montecasino in Johannesburg on 16 October 2026. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster. Please note no children under 3 years of age or babies in arms are allowed.