On an icy evening in January, when your next holiday and the sensation of seriously warm sunshine on your skin seems a long way away, a trip to see ABBA musical Mamma Mia! at the Grand Theatre is the perfect tonic!

Set on an idyllic Greek island, the story follows bride-to-be Sophie’s (Jess Michelmore) attempts to uncover the identity of her father. Unbeknown to her mother, Donna (Sara Poyzer), Sophie secretly sends wedding invitations to three men whose names she finds in a diary written by Mum 21 years earlier.

As the story unfolds, and as a result of Sophie’s investigation, Donna is horrified to come face-to-face with her trio of former romantic partners: Bill (Phil Corbitt), Harry (Neal Craig) and Sam (Richard Carmichael). It’s a tricky situation for the middle-aged single mum to deal with, but thankfully she has the support of best friends Tanya (Sarah Earnshaw) and Rosie (Nicky Swift), with whom she had performed as female band Donna And The Dynamos in her younger years. The trio re-form for one night only at Sophie’s hen-do to perform Super Trouper...

This colourful, high-energy, lighthearted and brilliantly choreographed smash-hit jukebox musical contains 24 much-loved ABBA tracks that all slot beautifully into the story.  

There are many memorable and outstanding moments throughout the show. Some of my favourites last night included Sophie singing Lay All Your Love On Me with Sky (Christopher Foley) - a duet that leads to a scene in which the stags perform the iconic and laugh-out-loud flipper-wearing dance. Then there’s Tanya and the irrepressible Pepper’s (Jaden Oshenye) hilarious Does Your Mother Know, where the sultry, older divorcee tries to quell the attentions of a much younger man. And Donna could have raised the roof of any taverna with her powerful solo rendition of The Winner Takes It All. Finally, there’s Rosie and Bill’s risqué rendition of Take A Chance On Me, executed with great vocals and perfect comic timing.

The encore provided a truly exhilarating climax to this upbeat and feelgood show. Donna and her Dynamos, along with Sophie’s three dads, wore full ABBA-inspired 1970s costumes - that’s jumpsuits and platform boots, for those not in the know - while the audience took to their feet and enthusiastically clapped, sang and danced along to a medley of hits by the legendary Swedish supertroupers. We left the theatre feeling thoroughly cheered and drove home singing our favourite ABBA songs.

Mamma Mia! premiered in London over 23 years ago and is the sixth longest-running show in West End history. And if this currently touring version is anything to go by, it will be some considerable time yet before it faces its final curtain. 

The show is in Wolverhampton until the end of next week. Do yourself a favour by grabbing a ticket and beating the winter blues. 

Five stars

Reviewed by Sue Hull at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Wednesday 18 January. Mamma Mia! continues to show at the venue until Saturday 28 January