Theatre News

Stockport’s Wakefield in Mamma Mia! International Tour

Casting has been announced for the forthcoming Mamma Mia! International tour which reaches Manchester in April.  Sara Poyzer is playing the leading role of Donna Sheridan. She is joined by her husband Richard Standing as Sam Carmichael,  Jennie Dale as Rosie, Kate Graham as Tanya, with Matthew Lloyd Davis as Harry Bright, Charles Daish as Bill Austin, Charlotte Wakefield as Sophie Sheridan, David Roberts as Sky,  Rosie Heath as Ali, Tasha Taylor Johnson as Lisa,  Steven Oliver as Pepper and Drew Campbell as Eddie.  

This is the first time Mamma Mia! International Tour has had a real life husband and wife team play lead roles. However, it is not the first time Poyzer (Donna) and her husband Standing (Sam) have performed together. They met while playing lovers in The Merchant of Venice some 8 years ago and have since starred alongside Lenny Henry in his award-winning turn as Othello in the West End.
 
Sara said “We are extremely lucky to have this opportunity to work together as the chances are rather like winning the lottery. We are so excited about the year ahead and very much look forward to coming to Manchester.”
 
Another cast member who is very happy to be performing on home turf is the young and talented, Stockport born, Charlotte Wakefield who will be playing the role of Donna’s daughter, Sophie – fresh from winning plaudits in Spring Awakening in the West End.

Nick Grace, associate producer, commented “This new cast are vibrant, energetic and extremely talented and will no doubt have the audiences dancing in the aisles of the fabulous Palace Theatre. We are very thrilled to be coming back to Manchester.”

Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 21 years ago.  

With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. Choreography is by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

The International Tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, Stage Entertainment and NGM.

Mamma Mia! International Tour is at the Palace Theatre from 26 April – 18 June.