Mamma mia! Fabulous doesn't even come close to describing this new Australian production of the sensational Abba musical.

Mamma Mia! premiered its national tour to a rapturous response from the Canberra Theatre audience. The fresh, joyful energy of this production was immediately palpable in the band's opening medley under musical supervisor Stephen Amos.

Set on a Greek island, captured with gleaming authenticity by designer Linda Bewick, Mamma Mia! is a captivating, charming and feel-good romantic musical comedy. Writer Catherine Johnson's storyline is simple enough. Sophie Sheridan (Sarah Morrison) is about to marry the love of her life, Sky (Stephen Mahy).

She longs to have her father lead her down the aisle, but she doesn't know who her father is. A sneak peek at her mother's 1979 diary reveals three likely suspects, Harry Bright (Phillip Lowe), Sam Carmichael (Ian Stenlake) and Bill Austen (Josef Ber).

Unbeknown to her mother Donna (Natalie O'Donnell), Sophie invites each one to her wedding in the hope of discovering the identity of her real father. What follows is a frenetic, fun-filled feast of surprises, misconstrued impressions and unexpected revelations.

This is a moving, touching, hilarious and uplifting story of independent women, rather foolish men, romantic dreams and private fears, hopes and doubts. It will sweep you along with a laugh on the lips and a tear in the eye.

For anyone who may wonder why Abba became such a world-wide phenomenon, one only has to see how brilliantly Johnson's dialogue segues naturally into an Abba song.

Mamma Mia! is a testament to the diversity and emotional range of Abba's hits. Sophie's heartfelt longing resonates in I had a Dream. Donna's accusations fly in Mamma Mia! The stage erupts with Tom Hodgson's electrifying and exuberant choreography in the Act One finale, Voulez-vous.

The audience claps along as Rosie (Alicia Gardiner) asks Bill to Take a Chance on Me. Tanya (Jayde Westaby) puts younger man Pepper (Sam Hooper) in his place with a taunting Honey Honey.

Johnson's dialogue and the music and lyrics of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus fuse to put a fire in the soul of every audience member.

Every moment of this production brings an unexpected surprise. Combine this with Gary Young's slick and tight direction, Hodgson's exuberant and imaginative choreography, a fine band under musical director Michael Azzopardi and a cast as good as anyone could hope for to capture the nuance, sensitivity, boundless energy and sheer fun of their professional performances and you have a glistening jewel of a show.

I defy anyone to remain in their seats during the curtain call and the full company renditions of Dancing Queen and Eurovision winner, Waterloo.

Mamma Mia! is a winner of a show that has it all.