Honey, Honey… it’s time to break out those sequinned bellbottoms, slip on your platform boots, and get ready to jive because MAMMIA MIA! the Musical is back onstage at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town!
Returning, for what is fast becoming a sold-out run, is a stellar cast led by South African theatre and Broadway star, the iconic Amra-Faye Wright as Donna Sheridan, acclaimed musical theatre star Samantha Peo as Tanya, Lindy Abromowitz as Rosie and Pretty Woman‘s Leah Mari as Sophie Sheridan.
You know the story, and you love the songs: Sophie’s desire to find out who her dad is and get to know the three potential dads leads to hijinks ahead of her wedding to the handsome Sky at the Greek Island resort her mother Donna is trying and failing to run.
Sophie’s three potential dads, and Donna’s naughty, naughty summer romances from long ago, are played by Paul du Toit as Sam, Matt Newman as Harry and Tiaan Rautenbach as Bill. If the dad bods are not exactly making you want to yell Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight, that’s quite alright because young Jock Kleynhans as Sky makes the wait for Lay All Your Love on Me totally worth it 😈
A Personal Dance Evolution: Here’s What This ABBA and Musical Fan Thought About the Show
I’ve been to nearly every run of MAMMA MIA! at the Artscape Theatre since the mid 00s and every iteration has meant something different to me. In my 20s, I related to Sophie as a fatherless young woman, wanting to know that part of myself. At 40, and with the state of the world such as it is and a growing belief that women really do become more beautiful and relatable with age, I have a newfound appreciation for Donna, Tanya and Rosie.
In this iteration, the three actresses Wright, Peo and Abromowitz bring a grounded realism to this trio of women who have loved, laughed, danced and sung their way through life’s joys and heartaches. Yes, Sophie is searching for her father, but she’s been raised and loved by three incredible women who each offer something different that ultimately equips her with what she needs to ditch the altar (but not the guy!) and travel the world.
Peo will always be my favourite Velma in Chicago the Musical and Sally Bowles in Cabaret. She’s gone for the triple score because she is now, by far, my favourite Tanya, both on stage and in film! Peo is perfectly cast, with her natural charisma, as sexy cougar Tanya and this was the first time watching this musical that I felt the sexual tension that underscores the performance of Does Your Mother Know?
Wright’s performance feels restrained until she breathtakingly belts out -and holds- the climax of The Winner Takes It All. The male leads are serviceable, but again, it’s Kleynhans who steals the spotlight as Sky. The ensemble are as good at looking gorgeous as they are at dancing, and the sets are beautiful.
Overall, MAMMA MIA! is a fun, beautifully staged production and an absolute must-see for musical lovers and ABBA fans.
So, why was I crying? Well, ordinarily Slipping Through My Fingers really gets me going, but this time around, I’m watching the show without my grandmother, who really, REALLY loved Dancing Queen. As in, this song had to be played at every one of her birthday celebrations (after a prayer was said first, of course 😉). The show’s opening night coincided with her second death anniversary. Mrs Schippers, my favourite Dancing Queen, this one is for you❤️
Don’t Miss Out: Book Your Tickets Before It Sells Out!
Ready to forget your troubles and dance the night away? MAMMA MIA! runs at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town until 11 October 2026 before moving to Teatro, Montecasino in Johannesburg. Book your tickets at Ticketmaster... It’s worth the Money, Money, Money, trust me!
