Mamma Mia! Leeds Grand Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Claire Giles
‘Mamma Mia, here I go again’, and we definitely did! Mamma Mia! the musical returns to Leeds Grand Theatre celebrating internationally entertaining audiences for over 25 years.
As a big fan of Abba’s music and with three daughters who love the Mamma Mia film I was excited to see Mamma Mia! the Musical and I was not disappointed. I am not usually a fan of jukebox musicals where the music is good, but the plot is often lacking. This was certainly an exception to the rule. Some of Abba’s biggest hits are performed spectacularly by the cast and become part of the story, fitting seamlessly between the dialogue. The songs are timeless and bring audiences back again and again.
We watched the show at Leeds Grand Theatre. The Grand is based in Leeds City Centre so is easily accessible by car or public transport. There is plenty of payable car parking nearby. The staff were all friendly and helpful.
The plot centres around Donna and her daughter Sophie who is getting married. Sophie would really like her father at her wedding but doesn’t know who he is. After finding and reading Donna’s diary from the year of her birth she finds three possible men who could be her father and invites them all to her Greek island wedding. Reuniting them with her mother after 20 years much to Donna’s surprise, shock and dread. Donna’s two lifelong friends also return for Sophie’s wedding and run interference with the possible fathers to try to ensure the wedding goes ahead as planned.
Bill, Harry and Sam as the three possible fathers form an unlikely friendship as they embrace each other’s differences to be there as fathers to Sophie once they realise why they have actually been invited to the wedding.
The mother/daughter relationship between Donna and Sophie is central to the plot but it was the relationship between Donna, Rosie and Tanya as loyal and faithful friends that really stole the show. All three have amazing voices and aced every performance they gave. Rosie Glossop as Rosie and Sarah Earnshaw as Tanya really brought the fun and silliness to the show and had the audience laughing out loud at their cheeky antics. Their performances of ‘Take a Chance on Me’, ‘Chiquitita’ and ‘Does Your Mother Know’ were outstanding and hilarious.
Jenn Griffin as Donna has a real powerhouse of a voice. She not only sang, she performed the songs with real emotion at the situation Donna has found herself in. Lydia Hunt as Sophie delivered some outstanding performances and played her part well. The performance of ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ between Donna and Sophie was a real touching moment in all the madness.
There were some fantastic choreographed group numbers and solo performances that kept you entertained throughout and really brought the songs to life. I especially loved the performances of ‘Voulez-Vous’, ‘Dancing Queen’, Honey, Honey’, ‘The Winner Takes It All’ and the unforgettable performance of ‘Lay All Your Love on Me’ by the flipper boys. In fact I loved all the performances from beginning to end.
This is a story of lost love, mother/daughter love, friendships (old and new) and love rekindled when old feelings explode. The show is high energy, silly, funny and touching all at the same time.
The show started and ended on a high. It ended with an all-cast performance of a melody of Abba songs that had everyone on their feet singing and dancing along leaving the audience on a high. The main cast appearing in the iconic Abba costumes at the end was a fitting tribute. I will definitely be singing Abba songs for days!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £36 to £66
Mamma Mia! is at Leeds Grand Theatre from 18 June – 27 June 2026
For more information or to book tickets visit www.leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the box office on 0113 243 0808
Leeds Grand Theatre, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NU
https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/mamma-mia-2026/