Review: Mamma Mia! at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

If you have been dreaming of getting away to sunnier climes this Easter holiday, then why not try a trip to the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham instead?

Set on a sunny Greek island, smash hit musical Mamma Mia! is running there until Saturday, April 23, and if you bag a ticket, you’ll be transported to a magical place.

The show follows the story of bride-to-be Sophie (Jena Pandya) who dreams of finding her father ahead of her wedding to Sky.

Finding her mother’s diary reveals three potential fathers, who get an invite to her island wedding, forcing mum Donna (Sara Poyzer) to face up to her romantic past.

Unfolding to the magic of Abba’s timeless songs, it promises an exhilarating night and it doesn’t disappoint. Audience members happily sing along (whether or not they can hold a tune) and tap their feet along. The encore is a huge highlight for those who had been struggling to stay still in their seats - do not rush for the door the minute the cast take their well-deserved bow!

It is a slick production, with barely a foot out of line and is it any wonder? The show first premiered in London in April 1999 and has been seen by more than 65m people in 50 productions across the world.

It has since been turned into two films and it is hard not to compare the show to the films, with the first being the highest grossing live action musical film of all time.

Well fans will surely be relieved to hear that actor Richard Standing, in his role as one of the dads Sam Carmichael, holds his own musically ­— unlike film counterpart Pierce Brosnan ­— and SOS, an emotional duet with the character of Donna was one of the show’s highlights.

Meanwhile, Donna’s friends Tanya (Helen Anker) and Rosie (Nicky Swift) are the perfect comedic antidote to a show that is proudly extravagant. The scene on the beach as Tanya rejects the love interest of younger man Pepper (James Willoughby Moore) was particularly funny.

And Sara Pozyer herself as Donna­— her voice is stunning and you’re soon left wondering Meryl who? ­— KC