Theatre Review: Mamma Mia! at the Bristol Hippodrome

The Show: Mamma Mia!
Dates: Tuesday 11th November – Saturday 22nd November 2025
Timing: 2 hours 35 minutes (including interval)
Rating: ★★★★

Mamma Mia! returned to the Bristol Hippodrome in full sparkle and song, delivering a night of infectious energy, laughter, and ABBA-fuelled magic. The audience was buzzing from the moment the lights dimmed, and by the end, the entire theatre was on its feet, dancing and singing along to ABBA’s greatest hits.

Understudy Sarah McFarlane stepped into the role of Sophie and delivered a truly outstanding performance. From her first note, she captivated the audience with her effortless vocals and natural warmth, perfectly embodying the young bride. Early in the show, during Sophie’s soft, emotional ending of Honey Honey, a brief technical glitch with the microphone momentarily pulled the audience out of the story. McFarlane handled it flawlessly, never missing a note, and the issue was quickly resolved for a stunning final note that left the audience impressed. Her energy and charm anchored the show beautifully, while Bibi Jay (Ali) and Eve Parsons (Lisa) provided brilliant support with their vibrant personalities and sharp comedic timing. Their friendship felt genuine, and this focus on the smaller character relationships, such as these, really allowed the actors to shine.

The production truly hit its stride with Chiquitita, where Rosie Glossop (Rosie) and understudy Marisa Harris (Tanya) absolutely stole the spotlight. Their impeccable comedic timing and powerhouse vocals had the audience roaring with laughter and cheering by the end of the number. Joined by Jenn Griffin as Donna, their rendition of Dancing Queen was pure magic; a vibrant, feel-good moment that filled the theatre with joy and nostalgia.

The ensemble delivered one hilarious highlight after another, especially during Lay All Your Love on Me, which was packed with energy and cheeky humour. The first act raced by in a blur of beloved ABBA hits, leaving the audience eager to dance their way through the interval.

The start of Act Two brought a noticeable change of mood, trading the high-energy fun of the first half for softer, more emotional exchanges between the characters. This slower pace allowed for some heartfelt moments, though it also revealed a slight lack of spark between Griffin (Donna) and Luke Jasztal (Sam). While both delivered strong vocals, their on-stage connection occasionally felt a little muted, causing a few of the more emotional scenes to lose some of their spark. At times, Griffin also lacked a touch of the carefree wildness we know and love from Donna, occasionally feeling a bit restrained. However, any doubts vanished the moment she began to sing; her vocals were truly outstanding throughout. The Winner Takes It All was an undeniable highlight of the night, performed with such power, control, and emotion that it held the entire audience captivated. The wedding sequence brought the fun back in full force, kicked off by another standout number: Take a Chance on Me. Rosie Glossop once again proved herself a comedic highlight, showcasing her remarkable range both vocally and dramatically. The laughter from the audience was non-stop, perfectly setting up the joyful finale.

And what a finale it was! As the cast took their bows, the party spirit returned in full swing with encore performances of Dancing Queen and Waterloo. The entire theatre was on its feet, singing, clapping, and dancing along — the perfect ending to a night bursting with fun, nostalgia, and ABBA-fuelled happiness.

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For those wanting an extra special evening out, you can book your early dinner at The Square Club, nested away on leafy Berkeley Square, before heading down Park Street for your evening at the theatre. Needing to stay the night? The Berkeley Suites offer the ultimate luxury night away, having recently won the Conde-Naste award of excellence.