THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC

Based around the songs of Swedish pop legends ABBA, Mamma Mia! is a true worldwide musical phenomenon. The feel-good musical is now currently installed in both The West End and Broadway, and has countless touring versions performing across the globe. In 2008 it spawned a movie adaptation, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. Helmed by the musical's original director Phyllida Lloyd, it became the largest grossing movie musical of all time.

The show was originally conceived by English producer Judy Craymer and written by Catherine Johnson. With the blessing of Abba's songwriters, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, the show premiered in the West End in 1999. It's mixture of classic pop songs, skin tight Lycra outfits and unabashed positivity was a runaway success, confounding the creator's own rather humble expectations. The score contains all your favourite ABBA numbers including Dancing Queen, SOS, The Winner Takes it All and Super Trouper.

WHAT'S THE PLOT?

Sophie is preparing for her wedding to fiancee Sky on a sunny Greek Island. The one problem is that she doesn't know who her father is. Leafing through her mother's diary, she discovers that it could be one of three men. Taking matters into her own hands, she invites all three to the ceremony, hoping that she'll spark up an instant connection with whoever is meant to walk her down the aisle.

So, the big day approaches and all the guests arrive. Sophie's mother Donna is horrified at the sight of her former lovers, never suspecting that she would ever set eyes on them again. Sophie meanwhile is unable to pick out her biological father from the trio. Confusion, farcical misunderstandings and a whole lot of singing ensues as Sophie tries to figure it out, all the while fighting her nagging doubts about the wedding itself.

DID YOU KNOW?

The costumes for the Super Trouper sequence are made up of over 400 metres of Lycra.