Moving tale of family and friendship

Mamma Mia!, the world's sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical, makes its way back to Bristol. NATALIE BANYARD spoke to Jenn Griffin, who stars as Donna, about the iconic show

- NATALIE BANYARD

Mamma Mia! International Tour Cast 2024/2025

(Photo: Brinkhoff-Mogenburg)

HERE we go again!... Mamma Mia!, the ultimate feelgood musical phenomenon that was penned here in Bristol, is singing, strutting, and sparkling its way back into the city this month.

The enchanting and surprisingly moving tale of family and friendship, cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA, plays The Bristol Hippodrome from November 11 to 22.

For anybody who has been living under a rock for the past 27 years, Mamma Mia! tells the story of independent, single mother Donna, the owner of a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, who is reluctantly arranging the wedding of her young, spirited daughter, Sophie.

Donna has invited her two lifelong best friends, the practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya, from her onetime backing band, Donna and the Dynamos.

But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own. On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna's past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier.

Over 24 chaotic hours, new love blooms, old romances are rekindled, and magic happens.

Packed full of iconic ABBA hits, glorious sets and costumes, high-octane dance numbers, and plenty of humour and heart, Mamma Mia! is a sun-drenched show not to be missed.

For this new UK tour, musical theatre actress Jenn Griffin leads the show as feisty single mum Donna. Jenn first performed in the show in London in 2022 as an ensemble member, as well as alternate Donna, Tanya and Rosie cover. When the actress playing Donna went on maternity leave, Jenn stepped in as a triumphant Donna and is thrilled to be making the role her own on the UK tour.