Money in hand we headed straight for the souvenir shop to buy anything they had to offer. Only a few of the full range was available on this night, Tshirts, badges, key tags, record bag, poster and a baseball cap. Okay we'll be happy for now with this lot, but be warned we want more!!!!!!!! Upon reading the program we discovered more items -a watch, leather jacket & mugs! Okay the big moment had arrived as we walked into the theatre itself for our first inside view of the stage. It was all blue and appeared to be like shimmering water or blue skies. Nice touch! As we walked to our seats, who, and I mean but who walks towards us? The legend himself, one Mr B. Andersson. We did the usually panic and our hearts skipped a few beats, his head down and trying not to notice we had noticed him (Never was a good actor, did you see ABBA THE MOVIE - I rest my case!) He was trying to find his seat the poor love as he looked at his ticket forever, I almost felt like going over to help him read it and usher him to his seat. But hang on what is he doing holding a ticket I asked myself, surly he of all people didn't need a ticket, but alas fame does not get you everything in life. He hurried off once we passed him by, then we saw Bjorn hiding behind a pillar trying to cop a look at what we were all wearing, the poor love never had good clothes sense (just think of Ring Ring video guys) then he rushed back through the door only to reappear a few minutes later wearing something else - a tasteful jacket for once. He watched the audience for a few more minutes (trying to eavestrop on what people were saying more like) He then went to find his seat, and the lights went down - my heart was racing at this point, it was all about to happen, my first ever ABBA world premiere. It opens with Sophie singing I HAVE A DREAM. Then we are in the taverna with the full cast singing SUMMER NIGHT CITY. The sets are rather simple, white Greek building in two sections which are on wheels and end up being turned and placed at different angles through the entire show. By the end of the show this has well worn out its welcome and does not do the show any favours. From time to time we see then disappear only to return and look the same. According to the program next we hear Sophie and her boyfriend Sky sing JUST LIKE THAT, well this was dropped for the previews and will be included on the opening night. Sophies mother Donna enters and her two old friends arrive at the taverna for Sophies wedding. Next Donna sings about her life - working to support Sophie and having a mortgage, if only she could find a wealthy man, she wouldn't have to work at all, she'd fool around and have a ball, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.......... Scene 2 Sophie has found her mothers diary from 20 years ago, she is sitting outside the taverna with her bridesmaids, Ali and Lisa and she tells them how she may have discovered who her father is, her mother has written about three men she saw at the same time and how she felt, they sing HONEY HONEY, as if the lyrics were written in the dairy, and make fun of what is written. Sophie tells them she has written to all three men, and invited them to the wedding in the hope of finding out which one is her father. Only thing is she has not told her mother of this! Scene 3 The three men arrive together and are greeted with memories of the island, Sam sees Donna has built the tavrna from his designs, Harry finds the guitar he had and starts playing a song he remembers from 20 years ago, he used to play it to Donna, THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC. Sophie greets them singing, amazed that he knew a song her mother taught her during her childhood. Is he her father? Donna is doing some last minute things to clean up for the wedding, singing while she works (FERNANDO) and turns around to be confronted by the three men. MAMMA MIA - she cries! (and then sings) Scene 4 In her room, fearing why the men are on the island and that Sophie will find out ,her friends Tanya (an Ab Fab Patsy twin) and Rosie try to comfort her, CHIQUITITA, tell me what wrong.......... (By now you get to know just what is coming and what song they'll burst into) Donna tells them she is not sure which one is the father. Harry is the obvious one out already and we'll fill you in later. Donna, Tanya & Rosie used to be a girl band way back when, the Spice Girls of their time and they discover an old concert poster of the band in a trunk. Rosie with hair brush, Tanya a hair dryer in hand, they break into DANCING QUEEN. Donna holding what looks like a vibrator joins in. The scene is very funny, and a send up of young girls in their bedroom using a hair brush as a mic and singing ABBA songs pretending to be Agnetha & Frida. Scene 5 Sophie & the very hunky Sky sing about their love and their fears - I wasn't jealous before me met, now every man I see is a potential threat.... LAY ALL YOUR LOVE ON ME. Scene 6 The hen Party. Donna reforms the group for a one of performance, wearing an Agnetha Mamma mia outfit rip-off, the girls perform SUPER TROUPER. The girls party the night away and as the men return they sing GIMME GIMME GIMME (A MAN AFTER MIDNIGHT) During the song Sophie confronts Sam and ends up asking him to give her away. She does the same with Harry, the dilemma starts. Next it's the awakening that it may actually be Bill that is her father, I wanna know whats THE NAME OF THE GAME, do you feel it the way I do? At the end of the song she has three fathers and three people giving her away!!! The nightmare begins as she asks her mother to give her away as well. Sophie and Sky have a fight - VOULEZ-VOUS. End of the first act. To start with I found the first act a little lacking and at times a bit dull. Sophie is dreadful, not very powerful vocals, and a bit of a goody two shoes. Donna is excellent and so are her pals. The male leads are good with the exception of Sam who is nothing short of awful. (and he gets worse by the end.) During interval Bjorn and Benny are not to be seen, but appear just as the second act is to start. ACT TWO - THE DAY OF THE WEDDING Scene 1 Lying in bed, Sophie has a nightmare of what is to come, three fathers to give her away- she feels like she is UNDER ATTACK. This scene is so camp, the cast is fluro swim suits and floral bathing caps! The groom is wearing a wedding dress and looking like he's done this far too many time before!!!!!!! The second act get off to a fine start. Scene 2 Donna is visited by Sam, confronting her about Sophie and what happened to them 20 years ago. They sing ONE OF US. Next Sam is about to kill an ABBA song like no one has ever done before he screeches out SOS. IT's us that should have hailed an SOS to have been saved from him singing!!! Scene 3 Tanya is lying in the sun, and being pestered by Pepper (the bar man) Telling him, well I could dance with you honey, if you think its funny but DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW that your out. Very cute scene. Here we go again Sam the song killer is at it again, he and Sophie are talking about Sophie and Sky's fight, he explains that relationships are difficult and recalls his first marriage, good days, bad days - KNOWING ME KNOWING YOU. Scene 4 Harry and Donna finally talk. recalling OUR LAST SUMMER. How clever as harry's name appears in the song!!!!!!!! A brilliant performance. Donna helps Sophie get ready for the wedding recalling how as she grew up time went SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS. Donna realizes that THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL, as she fights to hold back the way she has always felt about Sam. Scene 5 Rosie and Bill have a moment alone in the church and are aware of the things they have in common, both are writers, neither want marriage, Bill saying he'd like to find a partner ONE DAY, this is Rosies cue: If you change your mind, I'll be the first in line. Honey I'm free TAKE A CHANCE ON ME. The best performance yet, a great and funny number. At the wedding Sophie and Sky realize marriage isn't for them, they want to be carefree and hike across mountains together. Harry encourages them, telling Donna she was the first and last woman he loved, there are all types of families in this world and he and his partner Lawrence prove this! Sam takes the moment and asks Donna to marry him. The cast sing - Say I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO!.Thinking about it she finally says I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO.Very cleverly written in to the story by the way. Leaving to hike off somewhere Sophie and Sky walk off into the moonlight, as they sing I HAVE A DREAM. Donna and Sam wave them goodbye. The Company end the show singing a Medley from the show. Which we hear will be replaced by WATERLOO from the opening night. |
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