London Mamma Mia! Master Classes Held Summer '06

Dates for Mamma Mia! Performance Master Classes at London's Prince of Wales Theatre have been announced for 2006. The hit musical celebrated its 6th birthday in London this year.

Mamma Mia! producer Judy Craymer and Simon Warwick for The Creative Master Class Company have joined forces once again to present four official Performance Master Classes of Mamma Mia! in 2006. Held at a central London rehearsal space and the Prince of Wales Theatre, the non-residential courses will culminate in the participants' performance on the set of the international hit production. The performance will include full lighting, sound and Master Class Band. 

Over 3? days, the participants will learn and perfect original Mamma Mia! material, taught by members of the West End creative team. "Because of the nature of the musical itself, the Master Classes will predominantly appeal to both male and female performers aged between 15-50 who dance or move well," state press notes. The Master Class fee (£295) includes a top price ticket to see the London production, plus two tickets to the Saturday morning closed performance by the members of the Master Class, on stage at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Each Master Class course is limited to 60 places and the courses will be 5-8 April, 31 May-3 June, 26-29 July and 23-26 August.

Mamma Mia! recently welcomed its 4 millionth patron to the Prince of Wales Theatre and has extended its booking period by 10 months through January 27, 2007.

Mamma Mia! opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway) on October 18th, 2001, and has played over 1600 performances in New York. Mamma Mia! takes place on a tiny Greek Island, as a mother and daughter try to settle the girl's paternity before her wedding. The show is set to the songs of ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, with hits including "Dancing Queen," "Money, Money, Money" and "The Winner Takes It All." John Dossett and Michele Pawk currently star in the show.

Mamma Mia!'s book is by Catherine Johnson, with direction by Phyllida Lloyd and choreography by Anthony Van Laast. Produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, the musical features production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.