The glitz. The glam. The gorgeous people. And oh, just a tiny bit of tongue and cheek, the hugely successful West End hit, Mamma Mia! has made its way once again to Sheffield. 

If you love ABBA, fancy a boogie and want to lose yourself in a story of love, female friendship and identity, then Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! a ticket to this show (I promise not to fill this review with ABBA lyrics, but the temptation is proving hard to resist…)

Set on an idyllic Greek island that I have visions of retiring to one day, the set was simple yet evocative, featuring a traditional Greek taverna, complete with whitewashed stucco walls, an olive tree casting its shadow through clever lighting, and a rippling backdrop capturing the stunning blue of its Aegean Sea. The set was further brought to life by the attention to detail in the groups of Greek characters themselves, including the little old widow dressed head to toe in black.

Jenn Griffin led the way as Donna, alongside her two sidekicks, Rosie and Tanya, played by Rachel Oates and Sarah Earnshaw. There were some raunchy moments which produced many a raucous set of laughter form the audience; I spent more time than I care to admit wiping tears from my eyes I was giggling so hard.

Sophie Sheridan, played by Hazel Baldwin, stood out with her beautiful voice and sweet, innocent demeanour, desperate to find her father. Of the three, I have to say Simon Victor’s Bill won the audience’s heart with his comical outbursts.

If the first act was very much rooted in comedy and disco dancing (including the most amazing outfits in Super Trouper), the second act had a very different feeling. I shed tears again during Sophie and Donna’s rendition of Slipping Through My Fingers, reminding all of us how quickly time can pass.

Choreography, set, lighting, outfits, and the best ABBA songs matched expertly to the storyline, this musical had it all. If you fancy a trip to see something uplifting, exhilarating and just down-right feel-good, then don’t miss out!

Mamma Mia! is at the Lyceum Theatre until Saturday 26 September. Click here to for ticket information.