If you were thinking “Mamma mia, here we go again” when you heard the show was returning back to South African theatres, I am sad to report that you are sleeping on the wonder of ABBA.
There is something entertaining and infectious about watching performers having the time of their lives as they sing and dance their hearts out during “Mamma Mia!”.
Granted that if you end up in the theatre seats, watching “Mamma Mia!”, you likely wanted to be there, but for those who may be on the fence, the show definitely is worth the experience.
It remains one of the shows that first-time theatregoers, and aficionados alike enjoy.
Written by Catherine Johnson, “Mamma Mia!” is the enchanting tale of family and friendship that unfolds on a Greek island paradise.
On the evening of her wedding, daughter and bride-to-be Sophie invites three men from her mother’s past back to the island they visited 20 years ago in the hope of discovering which one is her father.
This major international musical features the timeless ABBA songs composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, including “Knowing Me, Knowing You”; “Dancing Queen”; “I Have A Dream”; “Voulez Vous” and many more.
It’s a story of love, laughter and friendship. It’s a wedding, it’s a party.
While watching the show, the power of ABBA and talented musical-theatre trained actors enable audience members to indulge in the whimsy of it all.
Ultimately, this facilitates a wonderful experience.
The 2026 production features a cast that raises the bar on almost any piece of musical theatre previously staged in South Africa, led by the iconic Amra-Faye Wright as Donna Sheridan, best known for being the longest-running actress in the role of Velma Kelly in “Chicago The Musical” on Broadway for 23 years.
A resident in New York, Wright also spends part of the year at her home in McGregor in the Western Cape, and have shared that she is thrilled to be back performing on the South African stage.
Several other major musical theatre luminaries occupy lead roles in “Mamma Mia!” 2026. Samantha Peo (“Cabaret”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Chicago The Musical”, “The Addams Family: The Musical”) stars as Tanya reuniting with Wright, opposite whom she starred (as Roxie Hart) in 2005, as well as in revivals in 2008 and 2018. Lindy Abromowitz (“Kinky Boots”, “Grease”, “The Sound of Music”) as Rosie joins Peo and Wright’s characters to form 1970s all-girl pop band “Donna & the Dynamos”.
The three women have really nailed the endearing chemistry and camaraderie of their characters' friendship. As an audience member, you reap the rewards of Wright, Peo and Abromowitz having the experience that they do.
To perform musical theatre at the level they have, for as long as they have, is no small feat, and attendees will see that skill on display.
I remember being impressed by Wright performing three songs, each with its own different emotional and staging demands for her character “Donna Sheridan”, and she delivered each and every song with the necessary intensity and conviction required. She calibrated her performance to allow for it to dynamic range when needed, and that is a difficult thing to pull off.
In the hands of lesser performers, they would have fully kept the performance at one energy level during those sequences, because it is just an easier, less taxing, way to perform, however Wright aces it.
Another standout which deserves recognition is Leah Mari (“Sound of Music”, “Chicago The Musical”) in the pivotal role of Sophie Sheridan. Mari not only has a beautiful voice and tone, but she keeps her portrayal of Sophie from being too doe-eyed and naive.
She plays Sophie as someone overly optimistic instead of the traditional crutch most people choose of childlike innocence.
It is a slight distinction, but one Mari pulls off very well. As an avid fan of the movie version, Mari nails giving you a little of Amanda Seyfried's Sophie, while still making it fully her own. It is a tough task because that movie was such a success that Seyfried’s portrayal easily lives in people’s minds, but Mari had me enjoying her performance every time she appeared on stage.
If there is a role I’d personally like to see Mari tackle, it would be one of the lead roles in “Waitress: The Musical” if it is performed again locally.
Showtime Management’s Hazel Feldman said: “'Mamma Mia!' is a gift that keeps on giving.
“ABBA’s music is timeless and the story is fun and upbeat, and - with such an incredible cast and creative team in place for this production, we know South African audiences are guaranteed a great feel-good show.”
After having seen the show, the production certainly delivered on what they set out to achieve.
The whole cast is truly talented with various scenes allowing various members of the company to get their spotlight. From the shirtless men causing audience members to hoot and holler, to the comedic moments from ensemble members causing rapturous laughter, there is something everyone can connect with.
The show is called feel-good for a reason, and once you walk out the theatre, you leave with the feel-good vibes that were promised.
The show runs until Sunday, 11 October 2026 at Artscape in Cape Town, and then runs from Friday, 16 October to the end of November 2026 at the Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg.
theolin.tembo@nationalmg.co.za