Mamma Mia!

New company Serasi Entertainment has burst on to the Perth theatre scene, with a high quality, beautifully polished production of Mamma Mia! at the Regal Theatre.

Attracting a top-notch cast, with a well-respected production team, Serasi has at the top of its core values “Generosity of Spirit”, (as well as aiming to be excellence driven, customer focused and future orientated) and this warmth shows in this open-hearted, feel-good production. The show is also expertly crafted and performed, with very high production values.

Designer Wayne Herring’s stunning white and blue set beautifully evokes the Greek Island locale, and is moved by the cast to create multiple locations on the island. It is sensitively lit by Max Mackenzie - with particularly evocative use of colour. Remy Benn’s costume design mixes use of blue and white with strong colours and ABBA influenced design at key moments.

Mamma Mia! features two leading ladies, and both are outstanding. British émigré Holly Easterbrook makes an awesome Australian debut as Donna, with a stunningly sung, thoughtfully acted performance. She is well-matched with Georgia Unsworth as Sophie, dynamic and loveable as the bride-to-be whose desire to meet her father sets the action in progress.

Great team-work and strong performances from the trio of potential fathers. Sam Rabbone brings depth and sensitivity to the role of Sam, Alexander Circosta is a dynamic Bill, with Ryan Dawson embodying British charm as Harry. Hayley Parker and Fifi Mondello bring energy and sass to Donna’s friends Rosie and Tanya.

Matthew Arnold gives a sensitive performance as Sophie’s fiance Sky. Yoel Budianto is good fun as Eddie, while George O’Doherty quickly becomes an audience favourite in a wonderfully comic performance as Pepper. Claudia Haines-Cappeau and Dakota Leak are lovely as Sophies best friends Lisa and Ali.

A tight and talented ensemble add pizazz and colour, executing Ashanti Balaratnasingam’s choreography with precision and panache. Highlights include Lay All Your Love on Me performed by the male ensemble in flippers.

Great sounds, from Musical Director / Conductor Liam House’s ten-piece band, vocals under the guidance of vocal coach Becky May, and the sound design from Aaron Elliot.

Mamma Mia! Is a superb debut production from a company with excellent production values, is a joy to watch and deserved its warm opening night reception. I look forward to their Jone ’22 production of Anything Goes.

Kimberley Shaw