Blockbuster musical Mamma Mia! is coming to Etihad Arena.
After a successful 2021 run at Dubai Opera, the stage sensation will take over the Abu Dhabi venue from June 11 to 22, as the production celebrates 25 years since its debut in London’s West End. Etihad Arena has been bringing big stage productions to Abu Dhabi, including Les Misérables from April 8 to 20 and Disney The Magic Box next month.
Written by British playwright Catherine Johnson and scored to the hits of Abba, the story is set on a Greek island and follows young Sophie’s quest to find her father before her wedding. In addition to the hilarity of some of the oddball characters, including three men who could each be her dad, the story's emotional core lies in her complicated relationship with her mother, which uncovers some uncomfortable home truths.
In 2008, it was adapted into a film starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried, with a sequel released in 2018. To date, the musical has been seen by more than 70 million people in 50 productions and in 16 different languages, according to the website of the show’s creator and producer, Judy Craymer. Mamma Mia! is the ninth-longest-running show on Broadway, where it ran from 2001 to 2015.
It’s success also underscores the popularity of the jukebox musical genre, where the score is made up of hit songs by a popular artist or genre. Broadway and West End hits include Rock of Ages, Moulin Rouge: The Musical, Jersey Boys and A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical.
Actress Lucy May Barker, star of the Dubai Opera version of Mamma Mia!, explained to The National that their timeless appeal comes down to the balance of story and hits. “People want drama. While there are a lot of bands whose songs will be great in a musical, the show will not work if there is not just a good story, but a clever one,” she says. “Both really have to complement each other.”
Mamma Mia! will run at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, from June 11 to 22. Show times will be confirmed soon. Tickets start from Dh125.
Profile
Company name: Marefa Digital
Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Number of employees: seven
Sector: e-learning
Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019
Investors: Friends and family
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
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Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
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Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
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