A new challenge for young star

Jazzy Axton as Sophie and Cam Buchanan as Sky, look over their lines ahead of Mamma Mia hitting the Baycourt stage in September. Photo/Andrew Warner

Jazzy Axton is used to a life in the spotlight.

The Mount Maunganui student became a household name at the age of 14 - placing in the top six girls in the reality television talent show X Factor at the start of last year.

But this year brings a new challenge for Jazzy - in fact a whole new stage, as she takes on the role of Sophie Sheridan in the smash hit musical Mamma Mia.

The ABBA classic will hit the Baycourt Theatre stage in September, with some of the Bay's best musical theatre talent taking part for the full season line-up of 14 shows.

The theatre has already become home, Jazzy says, and not just because of the long hours she is spending there.

After exploring the pop world and recording with a producer in Los Angeles last year post-X Factor, Jazzy says she has definitely found her niche venturing onto the musical theatre stage.

"I quickly realised the pop industry wasn't where I wanted to be. I felt I could never be myself.

"Coming home and seeing the notice for Mamma Mia auditions, I wanted to give it a crack. I auditioned for Sophie on a complete whim. I couldn't believe I got it," she says.

"I'm absolutely loving it. It's been so great and refreshing, you can really be yourself at the theatre and everyone's in the same boat so we all support each other. It's a real family."

Alongside Jazzy, who also works as Elsa from Frozen at children's birthday parties, will be Otumoetai College drama and singing teacher Petrina Chisholm in the role of Donna Sheridan.

Jazzy says she and Petrina - "get on like mother and daughter".

As a mother of three and a fulltime teacher, Petrina says it takes her a lot to audition for a show because of the time commitment for herself and her family.

But the former professional performer always had the role of Donna Sheridan on her bucket list.

"I've always said that if one of my dream roles came up, I'd have to go for it. My family was completely supportive," she says. "Donna is one of my favourite roles.

"I love that she hasn't been dealt the best in life but she makes the best of it. She's got balls, but she's also got a beautifully soft side."

Petrina, or "Miss Chisholm" will also be acting alongside some of her Otumoetai students who have been cast in the ensemble, as well as the college's head of drama, Mandy Rowe, who plays one of her best friends, Rosie.

"It's really lovely that everyone is doing it for the love of theatre.

"I think the audience will come for the ABBA songs but will leave with a more intimate experience, from Donna and Sophie's story. I hope we can really move them."

For Jazzy, Petrina and the rest of the 40-strong cast and crew, the next two months are dedicated to bringing the show to life before the curtains rise on September 9.

MAMMA MIA
The musical takes place on the small Greek island of Kalokairi during the preparations for
Sophie's wedding. But there's a catch - Sophie wants her father to walk her down the aisle - but which one of Donna's three ex-boyfriends is it?

Sophie poses as her mother and writes to invite the three men to her wedding. And they all arrive, much to Donna's horror when she sees them for the first time in 20 years.

Let the drama unfold.

* Baycourt Theatre, September 9 to 24.
Presented by Tauranga Musical Theatre.
Ticket prices: $34 - $59, phone 0800 842 538
or go to www.ticketek.co.nz