Mamma Mia, here I go again ...
16 Aug 2010
Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good musical, in which paternity issues don't need to be solved, any problem can be cured by a little bit of ABBA and endings are neatly and happily tied up with pretty pink ribbons. Watching Mamma Mia at the Artscape was immensely satisfying for these reasons.
Even though ABBA and their lyrics seem quite ridiculous these days (probably were quire ridiculous in their time as well) one can't deny that they are incredibly catchy and endorphin releasing. Add to that some over-the-top, funky (in the old-school sense of the word) and sparkling 70s' one pieces and you have an oh so fabulous musical, darling.
The full, local 31-member cast did the Mamma Mia! tradition proud with some fine acting and singing. Successfully telling Catherine Johnson's tale of a young girl determined to find out who her real father is, from a possible choice of three of her mother's old lovers, on the eve of her wedding night.
Award-winning actress Gina Shmukler gives a fantastic performance as Donna Sheridan, the feisty and slightly scatty mother of the bride. Nineteen-year-old Carmen Pretorius gives a perky and mature performance that belies her youth as the bride-to-be, Sophie. Ilse Klink, probably the most talented singer of the cast in my opinion, plays the practical Rosie and Kate Normington is hilarious as the wealthy, multi-divorcee cougar Tanya. Sky, Sophie's fiancée, is played by Stephen Jubber and, if nothing else, should be praised for his impressive abs and being able to pull off a purple wetsuit successfully.
The choreography by Anthony van Laast is wonderful and often quite inventive. One of my favourite numbers was of Sophie's pre-wedding night dream scene, in which her three possible dads and a horde of lumo pink and yellow scuba divers taunt her, as well as the sharply choreographed dance, to the famous Money Money Money song.
Mamma Mia! is the perfect pick-me-up for any lingering post-World Cup blues and is highly recommended if a little sparkle and funk is in need. My my how can you resist it?
Mamma Mia! runs at Artscape from 11 August and shows are Tuesdays to Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets cost from R180 to R380 via Computicket, +27 (0)83 915 8000 or +27 (0)21 4217695.
