Musical treat on the way for Abba fans

The cast of Mamma Mia! rehearsing at the Casa Blanca Theatre. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua Musical Theatre will be presenting its version of the hit Broadway show Mamma Mia! next month.

Theatre president Natasha Benfell said this was the first time the popular show, featuring a soundtrack of Abba songs, had been released for community theatre groups.

"It's actually been released in New Zealand before Australia, so that's exciting," she said.

Every two or three years the theatre puts on a major production, and Mamma Mia! will be one of the biggest yet with more than 100 people directly involved.

Director Dean McKerras is an experienced hand at the helm having directed many of the "big ones" from Cats to Rocky Horror. Mr McKerras started out as a choreographer before moving into directing, and is excited to direct Mamma Mia! for the first time.

"I'm one of those people who, back when I was 12, was dancing to all those Abba songs in our rumpus room, making up concerts and things like that.

"Directing Mamma Mia! is like taking that to a whole other level, to see all these songs from my childhood worked into a script is just magic. It has a cool story linking it all together, with all these magical songs. "

Mrs Benfell said they had been "spoilt for choice" by the calibre of auditions, and were lucky to have such a talented cast. With just four weeks left to opening night, Mr McKerras said he was confident that it would be an entertaining night out.

"It's coming together incredibly quickly. The show's a whole lot of fun - I really want people to feel like they've been to a party, to get that party atmosphere that's there in the music."

The show will take to the stage in the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre from February 13 to 28, from 8pm. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and at the venue. For more information, visit Rotorua Musical Theatre's Facebook page.