Mama Mia! opens in SA in 2010

Leading South African concert promoter Attie van Wyk of BIG Concerts and theatre producer Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management in association with Nick Grace of NGM (U.K.) are proud to bring MAMMA MIA! to South Africa. “MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good fun musical, which explains why it enjoys enormous global success! And of course we are proud to be presenting it on our very own doorstep, and even more proud to present a full local cast. This is a must see for every South African.” says Attie Van Wyk. “The enormous world-wide success of the show makes it an irresistible challenge to mount with the quality of performers and musicians we have here in South Africa,” says Hazel Feldman.

An international touring version of the show toured South Africa in 2005. Five years later, this worldwide theatrical phenomenon returns, but this time it will feature a 31-member all-South African cast and six-piece live band. From sets to costumes and the multi-talented artists themselves, MAMMA MIA! 2010 is proudly South African. Open auditions will take place at Artscape, Cape Town and The Teatro, Montecasino at the end of August 2009. Watch the press for further details.

MAMMA MIA! is an original musical love story featuring 22 of ABBA's hits including: Chiquitita; Dancing Queen; I Have a Dream; Knowing Me, Knowing You and The Winner Takes It All. Inspired by the well-loved storybook lyrics of ABBA's ever-popular hits, writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, MAMMA MIA! is a global smash hit. Over 40 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that makes MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show!

Since its stage premiere in 1999, MAMMA MIA! has gone on to gross over $2 billion at the box office worldwide. This production has premiered in more cities worldwide faster than any other musical in history, opening in more than 200 major cities. MAMMA MIA! is currently in its 10th Anniversary year since the first production opened on London's West End on 6th April 1999. With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. The choreography by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

Big Concerts and Showtime Management, in association with NGM by arrangement with Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal present MAMMA MIA! South African Producers, BIG Concerts and Showtime Management and their creative team will work with the global creative team to present “the world's number one musical” boasting an entirely South African company.

Ticket sales for MAMMA MIA! open at Computicket mid September 2009. Further information on MAMMA MIA! productions worldwide viist www.mamma-mia.com.

Photography of the International Tour 2008/09 Cast by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg