Mamma Mia! A show you haven't seen

"This show will take the bar to a whole new level." That's the message from director Lyn Townsend who eagerly awaits opening night of Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society's latest production Mamma Mia, as do her cast and crew. New microphones, new lights, brilliant artistic sets, amazing costumes, an incredible cast, with some of Parkes’ most talented musicians. "Mamma Mia is a show full of promises that we intend to keep," Lyn said. It's been a two-month wait since tickets first went on sale, and five-months since auditions, so it's no wonder everyone is very excited to start show season this Saturday night. And tickets have been selling extremely quickly. "We haven’t even opened yet but opening weekend is two tickets off being sold out," Lyn said, at the time of publication. "The other shows are selling very fast with most Sunday matinees having few tickets left." Its story - a familiar one that's more famously been adapted to the big screen - begins on a small Greek island, Sophie (played by Maddi Collits, now of Orange but formerly from Forbes) dreams of a perfect wedding — one which includes her father giving her away. The problem? Sophie doesn’t know who he is. Her mother Donna (Kimberley Ryan), the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about the past, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possible fathers: Sam (Neil Westcott), Bill (Greg Ballantyne), and Harry (Aaron Kingham). She secretly invites all three to the wedding, convinced that she’ll know her father when she sees him. But when all three turn up, it may not be as clear as she thought. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show. The production also stars Shev Brown as Tanya, Cath Welsh (Eugowra) as Rosie and Matt Prow (who now resides in Bathurst but is formerly of Forbes) as Sky, with minor roles played by Thomas Glastonbury, Gracie Townsend, Loki Ramsay, Annabella Browne, Stephanie Hornery (Forbes) and Clara Welsh (Eugowra). Musical director is Anthony Leonard and choreographer, Gracie Townsend. "I need to mention, our version of Mamma Mia promises to be different to any version - professional or otherwise - that anyone has seen," Lyn said. "An invited guest commented 'not only is this production visually spectacular but deeply moving. The new elements you’ve introduced give the show a fresh, resonant depth that really touches the heart'." Cast members performed at Homegrown Parkes on Saturday and there was a preview dress rehearsal on Sunday, and the responses, Lyn said, were incredible. "We are thrilled and humbled to hear the reviews that are coming through," she said. Mamma Mia opens on Saturday night, 3 May and runs to 25 May. Tickets and more information is available at www.parkesmandd.com.au.

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