Mamma Mia the Musical at Oxford New Theatre

We’ve seen the film Mamma Mia so many times, but this was my first time seeing the musical version. This time on the tour it was in Oxford, although I was surprised to see so many empty seats in the stalls near us.

Mamma Mia is a jukebox musical featuring ABBA songs. They fit in really well with the story, and the music is so well known it gives you that comfortable feeling while watching.

Sophie is getting married on a Greek Island.  She invites the 3 possible men that could be her dad without her mum’s knowledge, in the hope of finding out which one is her dad. The show’s about her getting to know all 3, them finding out they could be her father. Then her mum Donna finding out what she’s done and reminiscing those years gone by.

The show is full of funny moments from the stag do, to Donna and her old friend’s performing their old dance and song routines. But it’s also got plenty of poignant moments from memories, love stories, and delving Sophie and Sky’s future together.

The simple buildings translate well into the taverna, outside, and bedroom, and I loved how the cast danced and made the moving of the scenery into part of the show.

I thought the casting was very well done (even though knowing the film so well does mean I had expectations of what the characters would be like. 

Lydia Hunt as Sophie’s voice was brilliant, and Jenn Griffin as Donna, played her role well as Sophie’s mum, with a great voice too. I loved the comedy pairing of Tanya and Rosie, Donna’s best friends. The dads all had their different characteristics that we know from the film.

Some of the dancing really was amazing, although there’s maybe less in the show than some other musicals.

It was nice to be able to see the band master at the front of the stalls, but I’d love to be able to see where the band were hidden alongside him. The volume of the music did come in loud at the start, but once the overture was over I didn’t notice it so much. 

The 70s vibes are strong with the costumes (and music). And there’s a fantastic medley as a finale with the bows so don’t leave early like lots of people did the night I went.

I was surprised to see so many younger children in the audience given it was an evening show finishing after 10. While I expect they were there due to the songs and dancing, there are quite a lot of innuendos and talk of sex although there’s no bad language. There’s a lot of emotional storyline about relationships, and I can’t imagine it’s that easy to follow along for younger primary school kids. 

What I was pleased about was the audience etiquette. Considering it’s a well known musical (and film) with lots of big groups turning up, I expected a few drunk people singing along. But in the stalls near me there wasn’t any of that other than a bit of dancing and singing along at the end. A few of the audience came dressed in 70s clothing too, or at least a tribute to it, so that was a bit of fun to see as well.

If you’re near the tour as it continues, do check it out as it’s definitely worth the ticket price.