Hit Abba musical Mamma Mia! is to pack up its bright lyrca suits next September and move its cast of dancing queens to the Novello theatre.
The move, an exact date for which is yet to be confirmed, will follow eight successful years of Voulez Vous-ing and asking Does Your Mother Know? at the Prince of Wales theatre.
Speaking about the decision, Mamma Mia! producer Judy Cramer said: “I am delighted that the original production of Mamma Mia! will move to the stage of the beautiful Novello theatre. It is a perfect space for the musical. The Novello is a gem of a theatre that perfectly suits the creative needs of Mamma Mia!, and provides a comfortable and friendly experience for audiences in the heart of Theatreland.”
Set on a Greek island, Mamma Mia! is the tale of Sophie who, as her wedding draws closer, is desperate to discover the identity of her father. When three possible paters arrive, Sophie’s world becomes far more complicated.
Since opening in London in 1999, Mamma Mia!, which features a host of toe-tapping ABBA hits, has made lots of Money! Money! Money!, more than $2 billion worldwide, in fact. It has been seen by more than 50 million people in 34 productions across the globe, and is one of only five musicals ever that have run for more than 10 years both on Broadway and in the West End.
Mamma Mia! will follow Crazy For You into the Novello theatre. The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production proved so successful at the al fresco venue this summer that it has transferred to a venue with a roof for a longer run. The Gershwin musical opens at the Novello theatre next week.
MA