MAMMA MIA! International Tour Continues To Break Records, Begins Run At The Metro Radio Arena Newcastle

The International Tour of the global smash-hit musical MAMMA MIA! kicked off its sixth year with a packed press night on Tuesday 15 December at the Metro Radio Arena, and has already broken box office records there, selling over 100,000 tickets. Tickets are selling fast, but there is still reasonable availability between Christmas and New Year, and week commencing 10 January.

Paul Tappenden, Marketing Director for the Metro Arena, says "The reaction to the show from the North East public has been unbelievable, with everyone enjoying the party atmosphere; media reviews have also been absolutely superb!"

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, says "MAMMA MIA! has provided a boost to NewcastleGateshead's reputation as a 365 day-a-year cultural destination. With tourists coming from as far away as Yorkshire and the Scottish Borders, and a cast and crew of 60 people staying here in the region, the show has made a major contribution to the local economy. It's a sensational production appealing to all ages. There is life after the X Factor after all!"

"MAMMA MIA!" stars Sunderland-born Gary Watson as ‘Sky', alongside Jackie Clune as ‘Donna Sheridan', LeAnne Rodgers as ‘Rosie', Kate Graham as ‘Tanya', with Cameron Blakely as ‘Sam Carmichael', Matt Cammelle as ‘Harry Bright', Charles Daish as ‘Bill Austin', Miria Parvin as ‘Sophie Sheridan', Karli Vale as ‘Ali', Bleu Woodward as ‘Lisa', Steven Oliver as ‘Pepper' and Drew Campbell as ‘Eddie'.

Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson's 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 & lyrics by 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 40 million people in over 200 cities across North America, Australia, Europe and Asia. It has already grossed over $2 billion at the box office worldwide. The original London production opened in 1999 and has been seen by over 5 million people, grossing over £185 million at the UK Box Office. The Newcastle engagement marks the start of the sixth year of the International Tour, which has been seen by over 3 million people in cities as diverse as Cape Town, Zurich, Dublin, Beijing, Taipei, Berlin, Paris, Lisbon, Pretoria, Dubai, Copenhagen, Tel Aviv, Riga, Shanghai, Helsinki, Bratislava, Prague, Glasgow and Budapest.

The International Tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, Stage Entertainment and NGM.

Tickets are priced from £15.00-£35.00 for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening performances and all matinee performances, and from £20.00-£39.50 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening performances. Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or through the Box Office on 08444 93 6666.

For group bookings (10+) call 0191 260 6006 or email groupbookings@smgnewcastle.co.uk. Performances times are Tuesdays to Sundays at 7.30pm, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2.30pm. There will be extra matinees on Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 and Thursday 31 December, and no evening performance on Thursday 24 December.

Visit the "MAMMA MIA!" website for more information at: www.mamma-mia.com

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