A Greek island paradise, a story of love, and the best tunes from 70s Swedish pop group Abba – it could only be Mamma Mia!. The smash hit musical , which first came to Hong Kong six years ago, is back again.
Last Wednesday, two junior reporters talked to three of this year’s cast members about what drew them to the show, the challenges they face when performing, and the tips they have for aspiring musical theatre performers.
Since its debut in London in 1999, Mamma Mia! has been performed in more than 50 countries across six continents. The story follows a young woman named Sophie’s quest to discover the father she has never known, set against some of the most famous Abba tunes.
Devon Braithwaite, who is a part of the ensemble, said that he was surprised to find that he pretty much knew all but one of the songs performed in the show, even on the first day of rehearsals. It is, he said, testament to how far-reaching Abba songs are, and how relevant they are to people even now, decades after they were first released.
The cast of the international tour perform the same songs, and wear the same costumes, as the West End and Broadway production casts. The only difference is that they get to perform in front of many audiences whose first language might not always be English. It can be a challenge, but it’s one the cast relishes.
“The whole set-up of our backstage area is almost identical in every theatre we go to, but you’re met with a different view when you walk out onstage,” Braithwaite said. “The whole audience [might] be translating the show into a language they understand but, by the time we get to the end, everyone’s always up on their feet and singing along – they may not completely understand the show but they are still enjoying it.”
Performing in musical theatre usually requires a lot of stamina, especially if you need to sing, dance, and perform stunts on stage. There’s an extra element of that here, said Michael Nelson, who plays one of the supporting cast members, Eddie. One of the scenes that he finds most challenging involves dancing in flippers.
“I think that was the hardest 30 seconds of my life,” he said laughing. This energetic, frenetic routine gives the team of dancers their name, the Flipper Boys.
For Phillip Ryan, who stars as Sky – the bride-to-be’s fiancé – it can be a challenge to keep things fresh on stage. “After next Sunday, I will have done 920 shows,” he said. “Once you get the hang of it, the show itself isn’t that difficult, but I always make sure I’m fully aware of what I’m doing, so I don’t go on autopilot.”
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It can take a long way to get to that place, though, and Braithwaite said aspiring performers should focus on the here and now, and on developing their craft.
“It’s important you go to acting and voice lessons to give yourself the best chance you can get,” he said.
Ryan added that performers should not feel discouraged if they don’t get the role they want.
“There’s no magic trick – just be you,” he said. “It’s like doing a puzzle – you can keep doing the right stuff, but [you] might just not fit what the company is looking for at the time.
“The casting director isn’t looking for perfection, but someone they can work with. Just always listen and take notes.”