‘Mamma Mia!’ cast promises ‘bloody good time’

MANILA, Philippines—Five cast members of the long-running stage musical “Mamma Mia” met the local media Thursday (Jan. 19) afternoon at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati, promising to give the audience lots of fun when the international production opens Jan. 24 at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

“Mamma Mia!”—which adapts 22 Abba songs in a fictional story of a mother and daughter trying to resolve the identity of the latter’s father on the eve of her wedding – debuted in 1999 at the West End and has been seen by more than 50 million people worldwide.

Charlotte Wakefield, who stars as the daughter, Sophie Sheridan, said that although there’s “emotional depth” in the musical, “it’s not like we’re doing Shakespeare. We have fun onstage. We have a bloody good time.”

Other cast members who appeared with Wakefield at the press conference were Sarah Poyzer (as the mother, Donna Sheridan), Rosie Heath, Tasha Taylor Johnson and Kelly Edwards.

“It’s all about the songs,” said Poyzer. “People love ABBA. These are brilliant pop songs.”

(“Mamma Mia!” will have a four-week run at the CCP until Feb. 19. Call 891-9999.)