Some of the cast members of the new touring production of Mamma Mia! came to the National Carillon on Tuesday and posed on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin. While it wasn't quite the Greek island location of the musical with its Abba songs, the sunny day and beautiful surroundings made for a suitably upbeat environment.
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Sarah Morrison plays Sophie, the young woman whose quest to find out which of three possible men is her real father before her wedding drives the show's main storyline Morrison was last seen in Canberra in the lead role of the musical Ladies in Black. and said she was glad to be returning to the Canberra Theatre, this time to begin a national tour.
"I love the theatre - it's big but also very intimate," she said.
Morrison said rehearsals in Sydney had gone well and since coming to Canberra the company had added the second-last element - the band - and she couldn't wait to add the final element - the audience - when previews began on Friday.
Stephen Mahy plays Sky, Sophie's fiance, a frustrated stockbroker who's searching for more in his life. He becomes entranced by the magic of the island and by Sophie.
"He's a very grounded character."
This was Mahy's first time performing in Canberra although his previous credits include Brad in The Rocky Horror Show and Kenickie in Grease.
The company was staying in Braddon and both actors said they were having fun exploring the suburb with its many fine restaurants and great atmosphere.
Mamma Mia! choreographer Tom Hodgson has worked on many shows as an associate choreographer but said this was his first solo credit. He said although he had to remain true to the story and the songs, he had a free hand in creating his own movements for a variety of numbers set to Abba's songs, from intimate dances to big production numbers.
"The most challenging thing to do was to fuse all the different abilities of the dancers together," he said.
It helped that the music was Abba hits.
"You never get sick of it, even if you're rehearsing to it for six weeks, day in day out," Hodgson said.
"I love Dancing Queen, it's one of the best dancing songs of all time: everyone gets up, everyone feels the beat and loves the music, and I love the passion of Waterloo. Those are my two favourites."
Mamma Mia! begins previews at the Canberra Theatre on Friday, November 24, 2017. canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.
