West End Mamma Mia! Welcomes New Cast, March 6

By: BWW News Desk Feb. 03, 2006

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Helen Hobson, Joanna Monro and Geraldine Fitzgerald will take over lead roles at the Prince of Wales Theatre in the London production of the hit musical Mamma Mia!; they will join the show after performing in the English Language International Tour.

The tour is in its second year and "has performed across Europe and South Africa breaking records wherever its curtain rose," according to press notes. Meanwhile, the London production of Mamma Mia!, the hit musical based on the songs of ABBA which first opened in London in 1999, will celebrate its 7th birthday on April 6th. A month before that, on Monday, March 6th, the new London cast will take to the stage of the Prince of Wales theatre for the first time.

Hobson, who will play Donna Sheridan, has played leading roles in many of the top West End shows and tours of the past decade, including My Fair Lady, Blood Brothers, Heathcliff, Les Miserables and Aspects of Love. As a singer, she has been a guest soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, while her regular TV appearances include "East Enders," "Judge John Deed," "The Bill" and "Rosemary and Thyme."

Monro will play Rosie. "Her career has seen her triumph in everything from Shakespeare to Jackanory, with a taste of Emmerdale, Chambers, "Casualty" and "Dr. Who" thrown in." For seven years she played the character of Louise Paterson in the BBC World Service popular radio drama "Westway."

Fitzgerald will take over as Tanya. "Similarly, she has appeared in a myriad of plays and musicals over a career spanning three decades. From Steaming at the Comedy Theatre, to Magenta in the European tour of The Rocky Horror Show, and on TV from "Crossroads" to "Soldier Soldier" via The Bill."

"Mrs Henderson Presents" actress Tasha Sheridan will play closely-named bride-to-be Sophie Sheridan. Other members of the new cast will include Iain Fletcher as Sam Carmichael, James Lailey as Harry Bright, Paul Hawkyard as Bill Austin, Gareth Derrick as Sky, Miriam Elwell-Sutton as Ali, Louise McCarthy as Lisa, Ben Heathcote as Pepper and Graham Tudor as Eddie. At certain performances, the role of Donna Sheridan will be played by Lucy Harris.

"Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA's timeless songs, this enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago."

With music and lyrics by Abba founders Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

"From West End smash to global phenomenon, Mamma Mia! has already been seen by more than 24 million people in over 125 cities across North America, Australia, Europe and Asia. It has grossed over $1.4 billion at the box office worldwide. The original London production opened in 1999 and has been seen by over 4 million people at over 2,800 performances, grossing over £132 million at the UK Box Office." The show is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

Mamma Mia! is now booking to 27 January 2007. Tickets are priced from £25 - £49 for performances until 1 April 2006, and from 3 April 2006, £27.50 - £52.50 for midweek performances and £27.50-£55 for weekend performances. Tickets are available online at www.mamma-mia.com or through the Box Office on 0870 850 0393 or SEE on 0870 264 3333. Performances times are Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm, with Friday performances at 5.00pm and 8.30pm and Saturday performances at 3.00pm and 7.30pm.

For more information, visit: www.mamma-mia.com.

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West End Mamma Mia! Welcomes New Cast, March 6

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