Curve, Leicester

Tuesday 24^th March, 2026

 

‘Thank you for the music’

 

There’s no denying that the world is in a strange place at the moment; multiple wars, controversial political leaders, and a cost-of-living crisis like none seen before. Watching international events unfold can make it seem as though there is little to be joyful about at present. So now, more than ever, we need a little escapism. And Mamma Mia! is just the slice of cheesy sunshine to counter the doom and gloom of daily life. The show bursts with energy, laughter and stonking great music; it’s the epitome of feel-good.

Surrounded by the rustic idyll of a small Greek island, young Sophie hatches a plan to reunite her mother with the three men that may or may not be her father in time for her wedding. Friendship, romance, family bonds and second chances are explored and celebrated in delightfully pop-tastic style, while maintaining a very British sense of humour. The ABBA jukebox musical is over 25 years old now, and feels fresh yet timeless thanks to its simple storytelling and unpretentious production. Catherine Johnson’s book and Phyllida Lloyd’s direction let the relationships between characters lead the plot, fostering infectious camaraderie (who wouldn’t want to be friends with Donna and co?) and erring just on the right side of sentimentality. Amid all this, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ songs shine. Every number is a certified banger and the music has been carefully curated to fit the action, whether in heartfelt earnestness (‘Slipping Through My Fingers’), sucker-punching accuracy (‘The Winner Takes It All’) or tongue-in-cheek glee (‘Chiquitita’).

The simplicity of the story and production also lets the cast shine as they jive their way through party-like ensemble numbers such as ‘Voulez-Vous’ and the post-curtain Mega-Mix, while also allowing each individual character their moment in the spotlight. Jenn Griffin makes for a naturalistic and unassuming Donna, who’s down-to-earth nature occasionally gives way to full on power-belting diva mode. Rosie Glossop and Sarah Earnshaw provide fine comedic support as Donna’s loyal friends Rosie and Tanya, and the latter’s cougarish rendition of ‘Does Your Mother Know?’ is a real highlight. The younger cast also impress, in particular Lydia Hunt excels at imbuing Sophie with a strong will and youthful sass.

I’m struggling to think of other shows that are filled with as much unadulterated fun; Lloyd, Johnson, Andersson and Ulvaeus have created a gleefully giddy bop of a musical. The atmosphere was electric, the audience ecstatic and united in their jubilant reaction, and this current tour demonstrates why the show continues to be a sure-fire hit across the world. 25 years on from its premier, Mamma Mia! exemplifies the old adage, ‘if it ain’t broke…’, audiences know exactly what to expect when booking tickets, and for a bit of much-needed comfort viewing that is no bad thing at all. For a dose of bottled-joy and a tonic to everything else going on in the world right now you really can’t get any better.

 

Mamma Mia! plays at Curve until 29^th March 2026.

For full tour details please visit: MAMMA MIA! International Tour | The Global Smash Hit

Sarah Earnshaw, Jenn Griffin and Rosie Glossop in Mamma Mia!
Credit: Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

Inside American Pie

 3^rd March, 2026

Curve, Leicester

“Still getting together in rooms like these”

Somewhere at the back of my mind was the bit of music trivia that Don McLean’s 1971 global hit ‘American Pie’ is about the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly in 1959. But, even with the very singable chorus, I hadn’t properly considered the lyrics to any of the song and its six verses. Luckily, that’s where a small theatre company from Prince Edward Island on the east coast of Canada comes in. Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson of Harmony House, based in a community with a population of about 400, have devised the enchanting Inside American Pie, part-concert, part-documentary which provides a deep-dive into the lyrics, the man behind them, and the musical sensibilities of the era. Borne out of the pandemic, the show has become a hit in Canada where’s it’s played several successful summer runs in P.E.I. and also in Toronto. Thankfully, it was here that the artistic team at Curve spotted it and, with the help of Mirvish Productions, it’s now making its European premiere in Leicester.

Co-Creator Mike Ross, playing an upright piano, sings the first verse of the song before (teasingly) taking a step back to tell us the story of the horrific plane crash that inspired it (also killed were The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens). With the initial inspiration now within our knowledge, we hear those lyrics again, this time spoke line by line, and their meaning becomes clear. Ross occasionally goes back to magnify his focus on certain words or lines. His unshowy, matter-of-fact delivery is part of the charm, leaving the emotion of McLean’s words do the talking. We hear Wiki-style bits of history behind the lyrics of lines such as “I can't remember if I cried/ When I read about his widowed bride” referring to Holly’s pregnant widow (who turns 94 this year). But, more interestingly, we hear Ross’ interpretation of more opaque phrases. Is McLean’s teenage chronic bronchitis behind the spoonerism ‘broncin’ buck’? Could the line actually be ‘drinkin’ whiskey in Rye’ referring to a place in New York? Might a reference to Lenin actually be referring to John Lennon? These digressions lend a greater depth to the song’s intrigue and is a reminder that music is subjective.

Peppered through the show are carefully selected songs from that era. Some like the opener ‘Come On, Let’s Go’ by Valens and a later number ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ by The Rolling Stones help to tell the story, placing us in a specific time and place. But others are more evocative of mood, helping to paint a picture of changing social movements and musical tastes. ‘Imagine’, beautifully sung Brielle Ansems and arranged by Ross, is a good example of this. Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They are A-Changin’’ speaks to a wider theme of change. ‘American Pie’, more than just about a plane crash and the effect that had on McLean as a teenager, is about nostalgia and change. It represents a shift from the innocent 1950s to darker times. The way Ross and Wilson build that picture thematically and musically through fairly prosaic storytelling and using just one song as a jumping off point is impressive.

The show is musically exhilarating. A cast of five singer-musicians including Ross, Ansems, Alicia Toner, Greg Gale and Kirk White bring the songs to life. It has the electric feel of a music gig but has a cunning theatricality. At one point, Ross puts on some glasses and, with his blue jacket, I couldn’t help but picture Buddy Holly. This is probably unintentional, but speaks to a bigger effect of Inside American Pie in that it subtly evokes such images and reflections whilst you’re sat there having a great time. And a great time you’ll surely have!

Inside American Pie plays at Curve, Leicester until 14^th March. For more information, please visit https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/inside-american-pie/

Mike Ross in Inside American Pie. Credit: Dahlia Katz