With over 25 years of success trailing its reputation across the globe, Mamma Mia! hits the stage at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena for the first time, with heart and splendour to spare.
On opening night, fans of the musical arrived in island-inspired outfits centred on the Greece-set show, and danced in the aisles when the well-known Abba songs kicked into gear.
Richard Standing, who plays Sam Carmichael – one of protagonist Sophie Sheridan's three dads – says the show is still relevant 26 years after it debuted in London's West End because its themes resonate with everyone.
“The fact that it's about old people who need to find love, young people finding all forms of love, and sorting out complications of what a family can be – these things are universal, they speak to everyone,” Standing tells The National.
Over the past two decades, Standing has seen an evolution in Mamma Mia!'s audience. When it started, he saw mostly young women bringing along their often-reluctant partners, both of whom would always end up dancing together.
But after the film adaptation, starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried released in 2008, the target audience grew far more diverse, attracting men and women young and old.
“That film did the show a lot of favours. It brought six-year-olds, 16, 36, 66 and 96-year-olds. I've seen four or five generations of people,” says Standing.
What makes it more special is the cast's connection with the audience during the performance.
“You can't beat live theatre. You can't beat that feeling. It's indescribable,” says Ellie Kingdon, who plays Sophie Sheridan.
“I hope it's going to be received well here. We've never been to Abu Dhabi before, but the vibe we have already is amazing,” she adds.
For an international performance, which has staged 50 productions in several languages and over 400 cities, Mamma Mia!'s cast have been at the forefront of absorbing cultural nuances in their audience's behaviour during the show.
Standing, who has performed in over 40 countries, including twice in Dubai and once in Amman, says the varying reactions keep things fun.
“The best bit about an international tour is the people. In the end, everybody loves the story, because who doesn't love a story about love? Love is the answer.
“The things that we share are so much greater than the things that are different,” he adds.
'Thank You for the Music'
One of the most integral parts of Mamma Mia! is its soundtrack, encompassing more than 20 Abba songs throughout.
Stuart Reid, who plays Harry Bright – another one of Sophie's fathers – says Abba's music is a cornerstone of pop culture, constantly renewing itself in different ways, creating “universal appeal” for the show.
“We go to many countries where English isn't the mother tongue, but the show gets the same response because it's about the story and the music,” he says.
By the end of the show, when the cast sing Waterloo, Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen during the encore, everybody in the audience is up on their feet and dancing, soaking in the final moments of a memorable performance, says Bob Harms, who plays Bill Austin.
“We just want people to enjoy, and I have no doubt everywhere we go, people do,” he says.
So, which of the three is the father?
Mamma Mia!'s flair and charm would not be nearly what it is now without the mystery of who Sophie's real father is. While fans of the show love to speculate, the answer has not been revealed – yet.
However, for Kingdon, the most special scenes in the show are the intimate moments with each of her fathers. “There are some really interesting moments where you see the shift in Sophie's story, and I think they're my favourite parts to play.”
Each of the three male leads has their own take, too.
“I used to mind this when I was younger, but the whole point of the musical is that a family can be anything. In the end, it doesn't really matter because all three of them decide to share that responsibility,” says Stanning, who marries Sophie's mother, Donna, in the story.
However, he adds with a mischievous gleam in his eye: “But yes, of course, it is me.”
Reid believes the show is not about who the father is, but rather about the three men who want to be in Sophie's life, each believing they are her true father. “We're all in this journey together,” he says.
Harms, on the other hand, hopes this is the question that will be made clear in the third Mamma Mia! movie.
Mamma Mia! runs until June 22 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Series result
1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Brief scores
Day 1
Toss England, chose to bat
England, 1st innings 357-5 (87 overs): Root 184 not out, Moeen 61 not out, Stokes 56; Philander 3-46
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Results
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Teaching in coronavirus times
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Fight card
1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
Saturday 15 January: v Canada
Thursday 20 January: v England
Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya Shetty, Kai Smith
MADAME%20WEB
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