Mamma Mia! is the sensational musical based on the songs of Swedish pop group, ABBA. After over two decades, it’s the longest-running jukebox musical in the West End.
Not only has London loved the show since 1999, it’s been on Broadway since 2001 and it’s wowed audiences worldwide after touring over 50 countries spanning all six continents. On its travels, Mamma Mia! has been translated into 22 languages and has been seen by over 60 million people.
In 2008, Catherine Johnson’s heartwarming tale was adapted into a Hollywood film starring Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard and Julie Walters. In 2017, it was announced that there will be a sequel to the film titled Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.
The musical is laced with all your favourite ABBA songs, including SOS, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Waterloo and many more. If you’ve not shimmied your way to see it, here’s what you need to know.
Danny Nattrass as Pepper (front centre) with the cast of Mamma Mia! Photo by Brinkhoff & Mögenburg
What is Mamma Mia! about?
Mamma Mia! is set on a Greek island where Sophie is getting married. But Sophie’s focused on finding her dad, not her big day. Secretly delving into her mother Donna’s past, Sophie invites three men to the island in the hopes of learning his identity.
Believing none of the men from her mother’s free-loving past will show up, Sophie is shocked when all three – Harry, Sam and Bill – arrive on the eve of the wedding. But now they’re all here, Sophie has no idea which is her father and Donna must face her past. Which man will walk Sophie down the aisle? And after 20 years, will any of them want to
rekindle a romance with Donna?
What age is Mamma Mia! appropriate for?
Mamma Mia! is fun for all the family and is suitable for audiences aged 5+.
How long is Mamma Mia!?
Mamma Mia! is 2 hours and 35 minutes long including one interval. Performances are usually from Monday to Saturday at 7.45pm with 3pm matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Where is Mamma Mia! playing in London?
The Novello Theatre hosts Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! is currently playing at the Novello Theatre. It transferred there in 2012 after it played at the Prince of Wales Theatre which is now the home of The Book Of Mormon.
How do I get to the Novello Theatre?
The Novello Theatre is approximately 300 metres from Covent Garden tube station and approximately 600 metres from both Charing Cross and Holborn tube stations. You can also get there via overground trains from London Charing Cross.
Where did Mamma Mia! originally open?
Mamma Mia! originally opened in 1999 at the West End’s Prince Edward Theatre before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and finally moving to the Novello Theatre in 2012.
The show has played in many North American cities. It first opened in Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre from 2000 to 2005, and its US premiere was in San Francisco where it played at the Orpheum Theatre from 2000 to 2001. The musical also played in LA and Chicago in 2001.
Later that year, the musical opened on Broadway and is still running today. It’s the ninth longest-running Broadway show and the longest-running jukebox musical in Broadway history.
Will I like it?
Well, you can’t stop yourself singing along to ABBA songs at the office Christmas party, so we don’t know how you could stop yourself from loving this high-energy, fun-loving, feelgood musical.
After almost two decades, Mamma Mia! is still drawing audiences – young and old – thanks to its light-hearted story, incredible soundtrack and unreplicable atmosphere.
Where can I buy Mamma Mia! tickets?
Right here with us! Just visit Official London Theatre’s Mamma Mia! page to find the best available tickets for great prices. The show is also currently participating in our New Year Sale.