Mamma Mia! – a show based on the songs of Swedish pop superstars Abba – is back at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast for another bumper run.

For Ulsterman Stuart Reid, the all-singing, all-dancing show marked his acting debut in the Province.

But the 25-year-old from Ballynahinch said he was "more excited than nervous" at the prospect of appearing in front of a familiar crowd.

"I'm glad to be home and I'm looking forward to the opening night with my friends and family," he said before last night's show.

Mamma Mia! began life in 1999 and has grown into a world-wide musical phenomenon.

It is estimated that over 30 million people world-wide have seen the show and it has grossed over $2 billion in earnings.

Set on a fictional Greek island, it tells the story of a woman who, on the eve of her wedding, is trying to discover the identity of her father.

Hits

The musical features a raft of Abba's greatest hits including Money Money Money, Thank You For The Music and Dancing Queen.

"I've always liked Abba's music," Stuart said, "my dad's been a fan since day one and I grew up with it."

Stuart is one of 30 cast members involved in the show which also has a nine-member band and a crew of 19 technical staff, making it one of the biggest musicals to visit the Province.

There are nine productions of Mamma Mia! showing across the world, which includes residencies in New York, London and Las Vegas.

The show in Northern Ireland is the international touring production, which Stuart joined last October.

And he's been overwhelmed at how popular Mamma Mia! has been with theatre-goers.

"I honestly didn't think it would be as big as it is," he said.
"When you rehearse something for four weeks and there's no audience it's hard to know how it will play.

"But every night the audiences have been on their feet at the end of the show and I don't expect it to be any different in Northern Ireland."
Stuart, whose favourite Abba song is Thank You For The Music, said the scale of the show was something he was still getting used to.

"It's so big," he said, "other shows I've been in, like Guys and Dolls, have been big but I've never toured globally like this."

Performer


He said the feeling on stage was more like being a rock 'n' roll star than a theatre performer.

"It's like playing a rock concert – we've just been playing in bigger and bigger venues and that's great."

l Mamma Mia! continues at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast, until March 29. Tickets are available from the Box Office by calling 9073 9074 or online at www.ticketmaster.ie