Mamma Mia! the Musical

Newly formed in 2024, Tall & Short Theatre Co have a very bright and long future, if their 2^nd ever show is anything to go by. Following up from their inaugural production of Cruel Intentions the Musical, Mamma Mia! was a delight to view and included some superb performances.

Having both directed and vocally directed the show, Benjamin May has certainly delivered the iconic moments that the musical offers through some wise directional choices. He has also guided the cast with their terrific vocal abilities to produce each ABBA hit song with the kind of joy any fan of the music would love. The only minor disappointment was that the show used backing tracks instead of a live orchestra, but the cast on the most part didn’t have any issues with this.

Jaila Ellem and Isabella Gallant provided the backing ABBA numbers with some highly energetic and exciting choreography that suited the cast’s ability as they performed seemingly with ease, the only hitch being some distracting slow movements going on behind the leads in the number “The Name of The Game”.

Act 2 opened to some complex dancing in “Under Attack” which was a thrill to watch and the three tead females performing “Dancing Queen” was one of my favourite routines.

Something really special about the cast of this production was that the roles Donna and Sophie were played the mother and daughter pairing of Nella Magnante and Brodie Fraser. Their interactions on stage were so natural and they shared some moving moments together, none more so than in the number “Slipping Through My Fingers”, as Donna gets her daughter into her Wedding Dress ready for the big day. Both displayed strong vocals in all their numbers; Fraser brought genuine a sweetness to hers and Magnante’s power behind the emotional “The Winner Takes It All” was a showstopper in itself. Fraser is fast becoming a talent to watch out for.

The other two lead females - Isabella Gallant as the witty and energetic Tanya and Hannah Gleeson as the feisty and bold Rosie - were both a hoot to watch and had great chemistry with Magnante. Gallant had great stage presence and the flirtatious side of the role shone through in the performance. Gallant also shone in the dance numbers, especially in her main number “Does Your Mother Know”. Gleeson, in the most comedic role of the show, had me in stitches with her comedic timing, facial expressions and movement onstage. Most notably, Gleeson performed the hilarious number “Take a Chance on Me” with Damien Morley as Bill, with some great body language.

Damien Morley, Tim Wotherspoon and Josif Jovanovski, playing the three possible dads that Sophie invites to her wedding, all excelled in their portrayals of the three very different men.

Morley, as the writer Bill, had an Australian accent and had a few touching moments with Fraser and Gleeson. Wotherspoon, as Harry, had perfect vocals and his take on the softer of the three men was a joy to watch. The chemistry between him and Magnante in the number “Our Last Summer” was a real highlight. Jovanovski as the harder, rougher Sam had some fine moments and terrific vocals. Some more light and shade to the role may have helped though in helping us believe Donna would take his hand in marriage at the end of the show. Lachlan Whitehead as the fiancé Sky had a believable connection with Fraser and was a confident dancer in all numbers.

The Wardrobe team of Jo Bonney and Ralene Jones brought us into the period and place of the Greek Island setting impeccably. A colourful lighting design helped enhance the performance with only some minor blemishes in spots on actors in moments, which should be ironed out through the run of show.

Overall seeing this spirited, heart-warming and highly entertaining show for the first time was pleasure and Tall & Short Theatre Co’s production was a spectacular one to say the least.

James Russell

Images: Anthony Stone Photography