Preview: Mamma Mia at Newcastle Theatre Royal

MAMMA MIA! – Still Having the Time of Our Lives

Few musicals can boast the kind of global success that MAMMA MIA! has achieved. Since premiering in London’s West End in 1999, Judy Craymer’s joyous production has grown into a cultural phenomenon, weaving ABBA’s unforgettable hits into a heartwarming and hilarious tale of love, friendship, and family set against the sun-soaked backdrop of a Greek island.

Now in its 26th year, the musical has been seen by over 70 million people worldwide, spawning two record-breaking films and establishing itself as one of the most successful stage shows of all time. In London alone, it has played more than 10,000 performances and shows no signs of slowing down. Its unique blend of irresistible music, uplifting storytelling, and sheer feel-good energy continues to draw audiences of all ages.

That energy will be lighting up the North East very soon, as the full casting has now been announced for the sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! which will stop off at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Wednesday 11 to Saturday 28 February 2026 during a brand-new UK tour. Jenn Griffin takes the lead as Donna Sheridan, with Ashleigh Jones as Alternate Donna Sheridan, Rosie Glossop as Rosie, Sarah Earnshaw as Tanya, Luke Jasztal as Sam Carmichael, Richard Meek as Harry Bright, Mark Goldthorp as Bill Austin, Lydia Hunt as Sophie Sheridan, Joe Grundy as Sky, Bibi Jay as Ali, Eve Parsons as Lisa, Joseph Vella as Pepper, Ethan Casey-Clothier as Eddie and William Hazell as Father Alexander. Further casting includes Brook Blackford-Jenkins, James Brice, Aled Davies, Rebecca Donnelly, Ryan Ebbrell, Erin-Sophie Halliday, Marisa Harris, Natorii Illidge, Jay Jobarteh, Sarah McFarlane, Jacob Morrish, Rachel Oates, Megan Speirs, Cameron Sutherland, Richard Vorster and Maisy Wignall.

Leading the company as Donna Sheridan is Jenn Griffin, who trained at Guildford School of Acting and has already played the role as Alternate Donna in the West End. She brings both powerhouse vocals and heartfelt warmth to this iconic character. Ashleigh Jones, also no stranger to MAMMA MIA!, joins as Alternate Donna after performing in the international tour and on board Royal Caribbean’s production of the show. Rosie Glossop, a seasoned performer with credits including Come From Away and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, steps into the role of Rosie, while Sarah Earnshaw, well known for her roles in Wicked and Spamalot, takes on the glamorous Tanya.

Among Donna’s “three possible dads” are Luke Jasztal as Sam Carmichael, having previously played the role in the West End; Richard Meek as Harry Bright, whose extensive credits include The Rocky Horror Show and Hairspray; and Mark Goldthorp as Bill Austin, a versatile actor with experience in Mary Poppins, Sunset Boulevard and Les Misérables. The younger generation of the cast is led by Lydia Hunt as Sophie Sheridan, fresh from her Off West End Award-nominated performance as Tinkerbell in Peter Pan, alongside Joe Grundy as Sky, who trained at ArtsEd and recently appeared in the UK premiere of Cry-Baby.

From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with a sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads unfolding on a Greek island idyll. Judy Craymer, creator and producer of MAMMA MIA!, said, “I’m delighted to announce this 2025 UK tour cast of MAMMA MIA! and excited for them to step into these roles. Our much-loved musical tells the story of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads, inspired by ABBA’s irresistible hits. We can’t wait for audiences across the country to escape to our Greek island idyll and have the time of their lives!”

This irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world and now there’s never been a better time to see this unforgettable musical. Whatever age you are, you can’t help but have the time of your life at MAMMA MIA! Now in its 26th year, the show has been seen by over 11 million people and has played over 10,000 performances in London’s West End. The MAMMA MIA! International Tour has visited 42 countries in the past 20 years, performed more than 3,900 shows and been enjoyed by over 7.7 million people. On Broadway, it became the ninth longest-running show in history with a record-breaking 14-year run, before recently returning to the Winter Garden Theatre. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.

The show’s legacy also extends beyond the stage. MAMMA MIA! has been turned into two hugely successful films. Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest-grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008. A second film, MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again, opened in July 2018 and became the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time. Both films featured a star-studded cast including Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper, with Lily James, Andy Garcia and Cher joining for the sequel.

With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

The MAMMA MIA! UK Tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal Music Group and NGM.

Photography of previous production by Brinkhoff-Mögenburg

Tickets:

Newcastle audiences will have the chance to experience the magic first-hand when the production plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Wednesday 11 to Saturday 28 February 2026. Tickets are available now at www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/mamma-mia/.