Mamma Mia! The Musical, has finally arrived in Adelaide after a year-long tour around the country.

The musical celebrates ABBA’s famous hits surrounding a story filled with love, laughter, family and friendship.

Mamma Mia! is a burst of energy filled with wonderful musical performances and astonishing dance routines, getting audience members up and dancing in the isles.

Set on a Greek island paradise, the story surrounds young Sophie, a bride-to-be who wishes to discover the identity of her father. This quest brings three men from her mother, Donna’s, past back to the island where they last visited twenty years ago; where Donna, is not overly thrilled to see the three men on her doorstep at the eve of her daughter’s wedding.

The production itself feels like a European vacation with a beautiful set depicting a villa and all the costumes depicting 90’s fashion; taking the audience into a world of their own. The complex set still left room for the ensemble to break into song and put on complex dance routines that stunned audiences.

The talents of Natalie O’Donnell as Donna and Sarah Morrison as Sophie steal the show with their strong voices and amazing vocal performances. The two were perfectly cast as mother and daughter, in terms of looks, talent and on stage connection.

Alicia Gardiner and Jayde Westaby played Donna’s friends, Rosie and Tanya, respectively, who both added laughter and wit to the musical with their outgoing and strong personalities. Gardiner is very funny and brings energy to every scene she is in. Her introduction to the hit; Take a Chance on Me is one of her many laugh-out-loud moments of the show. Westaby took charge of the stage and landed every joke. Her performance was filled with spectacular vocal and dance routines, all while keeping a flirty and entertaining personality.

Playing the uncertain fathers were Ian Stenlake, Phillip Lowe and Josef Ber respectively. The three men were stars of the show, all giving memorable performances of their own. All three gave extraordinary and strong vocal performances: Stenlake effectively capturing the laidback manner of Sam; Lowe delightfully amusing as the ex-rocker Harry; and Ber bringing a hearty energy to the world traveller and writer Bill.

Even spending some of their time off-stage back-up singing for the main cast, the ensemble expends an abundance of energy when onstage, dancing and performing amazing choreography routines and tricks.

Mamma Mia! is a wonderful show that makes audiences fall in love with both the story and the music.

It is a fabulous night out with friends and family, for heart-warming entertainment and a wonderful cheery atmosphere.

Overall Mamma Mia! has all the elements for a feel-good production: classic ABBA tunes and extravagant dance routines delivered by talented performers who leave every audience member with a smile on their face.

Words by Cyndal King