MAMMA MIA - UK TOUR ***** REVIEW | Robbie's Backstage Bants

10 years after I first saw the show, I was lucky enough to be invited to see Mamma Mia! on its UK tour at its run at the Hull New Theatre.Mamma Mia! is a very popular jukebox musical based on the songs of ABBA! — it’s been made into a smash hit movie and has been playing in the West End since 1999, so it is safe to say that it’s a success — but is the show still hitting the same in 2026?

Mamma Mia! knows exactly what it is and doesn’t try to be anything more, and also never offers anything less. You don’t go into this show expecting a spectacle; you go for a fun, lighthearted adventure to the Greek islands and to be immersed in the hits of ABBA, and that is exactly what you get. I always say, you never see an audience happier and more responsive than during a Mamma Mia! curtain call, and last night Hull proved me right once again!

Mamma Mia! is set in the Greek islands and follows a bride-to-be, ‘Sophie’, who has invited her three possible dads to her wedding, unbeknown to her mother Donna, who not only is mother of the bride but runs a whole hotel and taverna on the island! — tensions rise as the wedding draws nearer, but will we work out Sophie’s dad in time to walk her down the aisle? — you’ll have to see it to find out!

The set for Mamma Mia! is simplistic, with a sea-blue box surrounding two moving white parts of the taverna which can be arranged differently to formulate different locations for the show. It’s very clever having such a simple set that can change so easily, thanks to Mark Thompson's genius production design, and of course complemented throughout the show with Howard Harrison’s punchy lighting design.

I will prewarn you, both the overture and entr’acte start very abruptly and very loud, so brace yourself for that. The music is one of the biggest stars of this show — of course, you arrive expecting to hear ABBA, and you get so many of their hit songs packed into one evening without it feeling at all like a tribute show. Every song is cleverly placed into the musical, many of them moving directly from conversation into song.

Jenn Griffin stands out strong as Donna Sheridan; her performance of this character was unforgettable. The struggling mother who has to deal with seeing all of her ex-lovers, and her daughter growing up and getting married — Griffin’s characterisation carries these burdens with such delicacy, and she handles the performance extremely well. Her vocal talent is truly masterful, sailing comfortably through challenging numbers and giving us full ‘belt-your-face-off’ fabulousness in ‘The Winner Takes It All’. Jenn Griffin’s ‘Donna Sheridan’ is not to be missed! (So don’t miss it!)

The remaining dynamos, Tanya and Rosie, also stole the show — played by Sarah Earnshaw and Rosie Glossop respectively. These two super troupers brought never-ending energy and impeccable comedy timing. Earnshaw’s Tanya was sassy and wild, and her rendition of ‘Does Your Mother Know’ had us rolling in the aisles. Whilst Glossop’s Rosie was utterly hilarious, in ‘Take a Chance on Me’ we couldn’t stop giggling at her comedic genius. What a trio they make!!

Sophie Sheridan, bride-to-be, was played beautifully by Lydia Hunt. She sang each number with a soft, lovely tone, but still brought the power where necessary. Hunt upkeeps Sophie’s excited, bubbly energy throughout the show, providing the audience with a constant force of joy to get behind, only faltering when Sophie is having a hard moment trying to discover who her father really is. Her onstage chemistry with groom-to-be ‘Sky’, played by Joe Grundy, was captivating.Grundy’s Sky was the classic cheeky chappy you would expect, and he performed it well. ‘Lay All Your Love on Me’ had to be one of my favourite numbers in the show, as they brought the romance along with the fun and silliness of the wetsuits and flippers.

The three dads, Sam Carmichael (Luke Jasztal), Harry Bright (Richard Meek), and Bill Austin (Mark Goldthorpe), always provided a laugh whilst they were onstage. Jasztal’s Sam was incredibly crafted to be sensitive to the situation, trying to get his fatherly advice across, all whilst trying to get Donna’s attention. I thought it was a great portrayal.Meek’s Harry Bright was the perfect mix of silly and serious, whilst Goldthorpe’s ‘Bill Austin’ had me chuckling all night. Another win for this amazing cast.

Of course, I could mention everybody, but I would never stop writing if I did. The glue that holds a show like Mamma Mia! together is their ensemble. Each performer playing multiple roles, and each one of those being a character you could watch and understand their actions. It takes a lot to be so slick as a company, and this cast do just that. Not a singular moment was lost, and the power when everyone sings together was unbelievable.

Mamma Mia! wraps up in a big finale — everyone on their feet, dancing, singing, and waving their arms to a huge megamix of ABBA songs — it’s like one big party. Seeing an entire audience jump to their feet the way they did last night in Hull feels spectacular to be a part of, and I can only imagine the wave of support they feel on the other side of the stage, looking out into a full audience of happy, smiling faces.This is exactly what theatre is supposed to do: make you feel certain ways, and Mamma Mia! is incredible at being a feel-good show. Sometimes you just have to revisit those classics that you haven’t seen for ten years and remember the way they made you feel back then.

So, to answer my own question… yes. Mamma Mia! does hit the same way in 2026 — it’s timeless, and as long as people keep enjoying it, it keeps the energy of the show alive.

Mamma Mia! will be running at the Hull New Theatre until Saturday the 18th of April, so drop what you are doing, make some plans, and get some tickets HERE.

Or if you want to see where else Mamma Mia! is heading on tour, check out their tour website here.

Have you seen the show? Get in touch! Let me know what you thought — robbiesbackstagebants@gmail.com

9th April 2026

Robbie Davies | Robbie's Backstage Bants