Yorkshire

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1951" height="1288" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia1-1.jpg" alt="Mamma Mia! " class="wp-image-8533" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia1-1.jpg 1951w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia1-1-300x198.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia1-1-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia1-1-768x507.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia1-1-1536x1014.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1951px) 100vw, 1951px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">MAMMA MIA! UK Tour 2025-2026 Photography by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg</figcaption></figure>



We all know that Mamma Mia! is probably going to run forever. It’s been in the West End for more than 20 years (yes, really) and had a good Broadway run as well as two film versions. It’s made an absolute fortune and people just keep on coming. And tonight at Leeds Grand I saw why.&nbsp;



If you haven’t seen the show (or the film), Sophie Sheridan (played in this production by Lydia Hunt) is a young woman living on a Greek island with her bohemian mother, Donna (Jenn Griffin), on the cusp of marriage and longing to find out who her real father is. By chance she finds her mother’s teenage diary and discovers it’s likely to be one of three men. So she does what we’d all do and secretly invites them all to the wedding.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="829" height="1290" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia4-1.jpg" alt="Mamma Mia! " class="wp-image-8536" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia4-1.jpg 829w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia4-1-193x300.jpg 193w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia4-1-658x1024.jpg 658w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia4-1-768x1195.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 829px) 100vw, 829px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">MAMMA MIA! UK Tour 2025-2026 Photography by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg</figcaption></figure>



But, really, let’s be honest, the plot is largely irrelevant. In many ways it’s an excuse to cram a load of ABBA tunes into one show. And it does this expertly. Every single song is a banger and every single one is so much a part of our lives that you’re never going to get that slightly tense “Oh I don’t know this one” feeling.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1942" height="1286" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia2-1.jpg" alt="Mamma Mia! " class="wp-image-8532" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia2-1.jpg 1942w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia2-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia2-1-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia2-1-768x509.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia2-1-1536x1017.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1942px) 100vw, 1942px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">MAMMA MIA! UK Tour 2025-2026 Photography by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg</figcaption></figure>



The ensemble here is strong and it’s the choreography that really makes this show what it is, with some super-impressive gymnastic dancing (and I’m not just saying that because of the semi-naked men).



Hunt is a warm and likeable Sophie, with pitch-perfect performance to rival Griffin’s impressive lungs. In fact, they make a lovely mother-daughter pair. Sarah Earnshaw is just right as the irrepressible sex-mad Tanya and Rosie Glossop as her comic sidekick Rosie.&nbsp;



But, despite this being a glorious celebration of friendship and (specifically older) womanhood, it’s the dads who stand out in this production. Luke Jasztal plays Pierce Brosnan (because, let’s face it, Sam IS Pierce Brosnan) so accurately it’s unnerving. Mark Goldthorp as Bill brings excellent comic timing and a bit of rogue, sexy Somerset energy and Richard Meek is a very sweet Harry Bright. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1900" height="1263" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia3.jpg" alt="Mamma Mia! " class="wp-image-8529" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia3.jpg 1900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia3-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia3-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia3-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia3-1536x1021.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1900px) 100vw, 1900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">MAMMA MIA! UK Tour 2025-2026 Photography by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg</figcaption></figure>



Massive props also to Pepper, played by Joseph Vella, stopping short of stealing the show out of what can only be politeness. Naturally, his and Earnshaw’s Does Your Mother Know? is the standout piece and probably what most of the ladies of a certain age are here for.&nbsp;



Anyway if you’ve seen neither show nor film, I won’t spoil the ending (it works out fine though) but suffice to say the highlight (for me) takes place is the giant singalong curtain call, which is, after all, what we’re all here for.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="860" height="1275" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia5-1.jpg" alt="Mamma Mia! " class="wp-image-8535" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia5-1.jpg 860w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia5-1-202x300.jpg 202w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia5-1-691x1024.jpg 691w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/06/MammaMia5-1-768x1139.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">MAMMA MIA! UK Tour 2025-2026 Photography by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Good for:&nbsp;Anyone who loves a good singalong, anyone who loves ABBA, anyone who needs a night out with a bunch of brilliant gal pals. Erm, anyone. 



Not for:&nbsp;If you don&#8217;t punch the air when Dancing Queen comes on the radio then you&#8217;re probably best off giving it a swerve. But, honestly, you&#8217;d probably enjoy it despite yourself. 



<a href="https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/mamma-mia-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mamma Mia!</a> is on at Leeds Grand Theatre until 27 Jun

Review: Mamma Mia! at Leeds Grand Theatre

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