Some new stars are heading into the London production of Mamma Mia!. Beginning June 8, Gabriella Williams will make her West End debut as Sophie. Joining her on that day will be Mazz Murray as Tanya, Jo Napthine as Rosie and James Darch as Sky. The ABBA tuner continues to play at the Novello Theatre.
Murray, a member of the vocal group Woman, has appeared in We Will Rock You and Fame in the West End and in the U.K. tours of Rent and Smokey Joe’s Café. Napthine’s previous credits include Made in Dagenham, Urinetown, Sister Act, The Sound of Music and The Woman in White. Darch has appeared on the U.K. stage in Kiss Me Kate and Cats.
Additional newcomers beginning in June are Louise Young as Ali, Stephanie Fearon as Lisa, Dan Partridge as Pepper and Rory Phelan as Eddie. They join a cast that includes Dianne Pilkington as Donna, Richard Trinder as Sam, Alasdair Harvey as Harry and Charles Daish as Bill. Shona White takes on the role of Donna at certain performances.
The show, which began in 1999 and has gone on to become a global sensation, tells the story of Sophie Sheridan, a young bride who invites three potential dads to walk her down the aisle at her wedding, unbeknownst to her mother, Donna. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Mamma Mia! features music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and a book by Catherine Johnson.