Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Base Entertainment’s last offering at Marina Bay Sands Theatre for 2014 is the musical Mama Mia, which will run from November 13th to December 14th 2014.
Mama Mia tells the story of Sophie (Niamh Perry), a young lady who’s about to marry her beau Sky (Bart Edwards) and dreams of being given away at her wedding by her father. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know who her father is, but has narrowed it down to three men her mother Donna (Sara Poyzer) has dated in the past. Unbeknownst to her mother, Sophie then invites all three men to the Greek island where her wedding is set to take place, which turns into an experience for all involved.
Mama Mia is based on the songs of past Swedish pop group ABBA, which was disbanded in 1982. Whilst it is sometimes quite obvious that the plot was made to fit the songs and not the other way around (as it is in most musicals), as a testament to ABBA’s durability, their songs and melodies still can make audiences in 2014 tap their foot and sway their bodies.
The songs are masterfully rendered by Perry and Poyzer, with their crystal clear voices and superb vocal control. Combined with the deft choreography and ensemble of skilled dancers-singers, the musical parts of this production are brilliantly delivered with a full dose of energy and adrenalin.
However a tiny flaw seemed to rest either in the audio system at Marina Bay Sands Theatre or in the choice of inappropriate key for a couple of the songs in which Donna’s friends Tanya (Geraldine Fitzgerald) and Rosie (Sue Devaney) perform, as some of the words sung seemed swallowed and difficult to decipher.
Having said that though, the sets and costumes are highly effective in transporting one to this Greek isle and, together with the music and dancing, you can almost hear the Aegean Sea yourself, and as you watch Donna, Sophie, Sky, and gang perform, you will yearn to also sing out “Gimme, gimme, gimme”!
