Mamma Mia!’ Celebrates 25 Glittering Years on the West End Stage
Next month, the West End is set to sparkle a little brighter as ‘Mamma Mia!’ hits a dazzling milestone, celebrating 25 years of spectacular performances. Since its debut in 1999, this ABBA-infused musical extravaganza has captivated audiences in 16 different languages and raked in over $4 billion at the box office, not to mention the success of its two blockbuster films.
Kicking off its journey on April 6, 1999, at the Prince Edward Theatre, ‘Mamma Mia!’ has had quite the journey, moving to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and finally finding its current home at the Novello Theatre in 2012. The show’s creator and producer, Judy Craymer, expressed immense joy and pride over reaching this landmark anniversary, highlighting the global flagship status of the West End production and the continual love and support from the show’s fans and the theatrical community.
The cast lighting up London includes Mazz Murray leading as Donna, with a talented ensemble supporting the story of laughter, love, and friendship set to the timeless hits of ABBA. The creative minds behind the scenes include Catherine Johnson’s witty writing, Phyllida Lloyd’s dynamic direction, and Anthony Van Laast’s electrifying choreography, all brought to life on a stage designed by Mark Thompson and under the musical genius of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.
Adding a fresh twist to its cast, Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley landed their roles as Sophie and Sky, respectively, after triumphing in the major ITV talent show ‘Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.’ This announcement comes on the heels of the musical setting a new record for the highest weekly gross in its history last month.
To mark its silver jubilee, ‘Mamma Mia!’ is planning a special performance on April 6, 2024, at the Novello Theatre, making it the third musical in West End history to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ Notably, it will be the first musical penned and directed by a woman to hit this significant milestone, showcasing the enduring appeal and revolutionary impact of this beloved musical.
