Mamma Mia at Teatre Auditori Emma Vilarasau Review
Written by Laura for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Sophie, raised alone by her mother Donna, is getting married, and she wants her father to walk her down the aisle. The problem? She doesn’t know who her father is. So, she decides to invite the three men who could possibly be her dad.
After more than a thousand performances in Madrid, Mamma Mia! upholds the motto “here we go again” and is now embarking on a two-year tour across Spain. I was fortunate to catch it in Sant Cugat, a town very close to Barcelona.
For such a short stop, I thought the theatre was wonderfully themed. In the hall, there was a photocall with a small boat, a lovely projection outside, and the stage itself was beautifully decorated with flowers and the Mamma Mia! logo for people to take pictures with. And they did, plenty of them!
I absolutely loved the staging and scenery. It wasn’t overly complicated but felt grand and immersive, and it made me genuinely happy to see it after the recent wave of minimalist trends. Donna’s house looked lived-in and cozy, and the hotel exterior was charming as well.
The costumes were another highlight. They looked like real clothes, nothing extravagant except for key moments, and each character’s style matched their personality perfectly.
Although there wasn’t a cast list displayed outside, I did my best to match the actors to their programme pictures. Verónica Ronda was splendid as Donna, with an incredible voice and just the right amount of vulnerability. Alongside Beatriz Mur as Tanya and Noemí Gallego as Rosie, the trio felt very authentic; their small, spontaneous gestures made their friendship all the more believable. Gina Gonfaus sounded like a princess as Sophie, and was an excellent dancer as well. The ensemble also stood out with their wonderful and positive energy.
The live music and choreography were fantastic. I kind of wish the band had been more visible, as they are such an integral part of the show, but I understand that would have taken up too much stage space.
It was my first time seeing the show, and I found it thoroughly entertaining. The audience was ecstatic, clapping along to the songs and adding even more energy to the atmosphere. The first half of the second act dragged a little, since the ABBA bangers are not infinite after all, but it quickly picked up and ended on a high note.
Overall, this is a great experience for musical lovers, fans of the movie, and even occasional theatre-goers who enjoy more mainstream productions.
Mamma Mia! will only be in Sant Cugat until November 2nd, and is later moving to Mallorca, Manresa and many more.
★★★★
