(Pic by Pat Bromilow-Downing: Kate Normington, Gina Shmukler and Ilse Klink)“Mamma Mia! How Can I Resist You?” go the words of the famous ABBA song and you would have to be made of steel and bound solid with cynicism not to be at least mildly touched by Mamma Mia!, this clever interweaving of ABBA lyrics and melodies from the legendary Swedish group into a simple but effective story line.
Presented by Big Concerts and Showtime Management in association with the international producers, Mamma Mia! is set to run at Montecasino’s impressive Teatro theatre until early next year. The South African production team features Alistair Kilbee as Technical Director, Rowan Bakker as Musical Director, Philip Godawa as Resident Director and Jill Somers as Company Manager.
The cast is headed by three stunning actresses in stand-out performances – Gina Shmukler (Durban audiences will remember her in My Fair Lady last year) as the gutsy and fiercely independent Donna; Kate Normington as the elegant Tanya, and Ilse Klink as the cuddly Rosie. Fine performances are also given by Carmen Pretorius as Donna’s daughter Sophie and Stephen Jubber as her hunk of a fiancé, Sky. Playing the three men, one of them being Donna’s father - but nobody knows which! - are Anrich Herbst (architect Sam Carmichael), Neels Clasen (musician Harry Bright) and Murray Todd (adventurer Bill Austin) – all individually endearing and attractive.
Not known for effusive comment, Teatro’s General Manager Bryan Hill – remembered by long-term Durban audiences for his work with the legendary Geoffrey Sutherland – maintains firmly: “I defy anyone not to enjoy this show!” Bryan has been campaigning for at least five years to bring Mamma Mia back to South Africa, and to the Teatro, but has been adamant in refusing to accept it without a South African cast.
South African musical theatre artistes and audiences alike should thank Bryan Hill for sticking to his guns. His determination has paid off – and he was correct in his prediction that we could do the show well, perhaps even better! In fact, I would hazard a guess that our South African version must rank very highly in the show’s history.
In keeping with the international level of this production, all elements are rock solid: musical backing, choreography, lighting, sound and stage technicals are of a high standard. The ensemble work is excellent in its high energy and there is a refreshing passion and honesty about the production.
Mamma Mia is full of humour with good performances from the supporting cast. The structure of the show itself presents challenges. It needs to be performed with commitment and honesty otherwise it could become cheesy. However, it’s not all sugar and froth. Another challenge is that while the first half is all joyful mischief, fun and games – the second half has to go through an emotional darker level in order to resolve the story. A consummate actress, Gina Shmukler handled this sensitive process with her usual highly professional skills, culminating in the desperate The Winner Takes It All.
There were some delightful sequences, particularly the one with the flippers. Voulez Vous was a delight, Money, Money, Money is a showstopper and Dancing Queen raised the roof. The nightmare scene is well handled. The set is simple but versatile, offset either by lighting effects or panels that echo the maritime theme. Particularly powerful was S.O.S. where Donna and Sam try to reach out to each other but self-combust along the way.
Mamma Mia is better than a thousand pick-me-ups and I would heartily recommend that KZN lovers of good theatre take the opportunity to enjoy what is a high quality production. Spoil yourselves – why not? We were sitting in the best seats – Row N at R390 each – but anywhere in that theatre is fine.
Take advantage of the Show and Stay Package offered by Montecasino. This provides a perfect parcel of good food and excellent theatre and is tremendous value for money. The offer is for Friday and Saturday nights only, subject to availability and must be pre-paid. Upgraded room types are subject to surcharge. Booking through Ernestine on 086 100 5511 or ernestinek@southernsun.com (See separate review at http://news.artsmart.co.za/2010/11/show-stay.html)
Watch out for Kulula specials to take you to Lanseria airport which is closer to Montecasino than OR Thambo or else get a group together and drive up to Johannesburg.
My one gripe is that the Teatro needs to be signposted from the entrance across from The Piazza hotel. If you don’t know where you’re going, you could easily get lost in the crowds thronging the various alleys and miss the show.
If you are interested in finding out how ABBA’s songs became Mamma Mia the musical and eventually the movie, then read the fascinating Mamma Mia! How Can I Resist You? ISBN 978-0-7538-2101-5. Watch this space for a review on the book. – Caroline Smart
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