Mamma Mia!

Bristol Hippodrome Until May 7

ANY review of Mamma Mia! really ought to be littered with ABBA song lyrics, but - my, my! - I just can’t think of any off hand.

The smash musical based on the songs of Sweden’s finest exports has hit the road on tour this year, parking up in Bristol for the next month or so. And dancing queens searching for a big night out could do worse than take a chance on this - unashamed singing and dancing are virtually guaranteed. I’d put money, money, money on it anyway.

While ABBA’s pure pop relied on catchy hooks which stuck in the brain, the lyrics were also deceptively poignant and therefore lent themselves perfectly to dramatic interpretation. The huge success of this show and its 2008 cinematic follow-up undoubtedly lies in its clever use of that lyricism to tell a decent story - one which pulls at the heartstrings and makes us laugh in equal measure.

Sara Poyzer is perfect as the central character Donna, with a honey, honey singing voice and a twinkle in her eye, while her backing duo of Rosie (Jacqueline Braun) and Tanya (Emma Clifford) offer comedy and that perfect level of harmony which make ABBA songs so distinct.

Lucy May Barker as Sophie is a little too saccharine sweet for my liking, but I guess that’s all part of the character. Her three possible dads - Richard Standing, Tim Walton and Christopher Hollis - prove that strong singing skills and not just good looks (although they have those too) are the name of the game on stage, where dodgy tuning can’t be erased with a second take or the auto-tuner.

Mamma Mia! is an unashamed chick pick - you won’t find too many men in the audience, and those who are are probably under duress (that’s what they’ll tell their mates anyway).

What it is is a super trouper of a show which leaves everyone beaming from ear to ear. Thank you for the music ABBA.

- MICHELLE TOMPKINS