MUSICAL: MAMMA MIA!

Mamma Mia is back with its catchy ABBA classics, almost a decade since it first charmed Sydney audiences in June 2001. And it’s likely to repeat its past success, as director Phyllida Lloyd has brought back many of the original cast, including Anne Wood in the lead as single mother-of-the-bride Donna and Lara Mulcahy as her longtime friend Rosie. Both give great performances, as does Jennifer Vuletic who returns as vampy friend Tanya, the role she took over from Rhonda Burchmore in the final Sydney cast and in Adelaide. The story is set on a fabulous Greek island where Donna struggles to run her business and bring up daughter Sophie, now 20 and about to be married. The fun starts when Sophie invites three of her mother’s former beaus to her wedding, hoping to discover the identity of her father. Good performances from Suzie Mathers as Sophie and from her three dads ­ – Michael Cormick as Sam, Robert Grubb as Harry and Peter Hardy as Bill. This musical is hard not to enjoy, even for those who are not ABBA fans. Catherine Johnson’s storyline seems to resonate more strongly in this production, especially in the heartfelt number The Winner Takes it All.

Until Feb 7, Lyric Theatre at Star City, Pyrmont, $29.90-109.90, 1300 795 267 ticketmaster.com.au