I just wanted to let you all know that a magical night was had by a packed and vibrant house (not to mention a respectable contingent of ABBAMAILers) at the closing performance of "Mamma Mia" in Melbourne last night.
After four years and 1,527 performances played to over two million people (to quote Donna Mark II, played by Silvie Paladino) the Australasian tour of "Mamma Mia" has finally come to an end; fittingly in the same city where Björn personally launched the show in back in June 2001.
It was an absolutely fantastic atmosphere right from the start. We really got our money's worth too - someone in the marketing department must have been feeling all warm and fuzzy, as what should be waiting for us when we arrived at our seats but a classy navy blue "Mamma Mia!" carry bag containing all manner of collectables!
The complimentary mementos of the show included a four-track digipak CD, a glossy 8-page A5-size behind-the-scenes cardboard colour booklet entitled "Snapshots"; a black leather embossed wallet presented in an elegant navy blue cardboard box; a cool battery-operated see-through Litestar pen that constantly changes colour
(red/green/blue/yellow/pink/jade/rainbow) at the press of a button (presented in an embossed plastic case); and finally two navy blue stickers.
Apparently there were a few lucky people who found T-shirts in their show bags as well, but despite our polite enquiries at the box office afterwards, we were not similarly rewarded! Still, not bad for a closing night eh?
Right from the outset the applause was rapturous, with the audience keeping time with the beat on every up-tempo number. The cast responded to the warmth and enthusiasm with unrelenting energy throughout. There was no evidence of exhaustion from anybody on stage; they were clearly relishing the final night's performance, and gave it their all. "Lay All Your Love On Me", "Does Your Mother Know" and "Mamma Mia" were true showstoppers, with the cast having to wait up to a minute for the applause to subside before the dialogue could continue!
And now, to the very pleasant surprises that awaited us at the end ....
Firstly, an emotional Silvie Paladino read out the numerous thank yous (with the sexy redhead Sky wiping tears from his eyes behind her), and a delighted roar ensued when she announced that many of the cast members from the original run of the show were in the audience. I recognised both the original Sky and Pepper sitting a few rows in front of me, and they were cheering and whistling as loud as anybody. Then it was a beaming Catherine Johnson's turn to pay tribute to all involved; after which she promptly beckoned to the large white moon that graced the set behind her...
Announcing a "message from our sponsors", who should suddenly be projected onto the screen but Benny and Björn!
There they were, larger than life, Bjorn standing alongside a whimsical Benny, who sat tinkling away at the piano as he spoke. It must have been filmed especially for this closing performance as Björn, waxing poetical, said something along these lines:
"It's always difficult saying good-bye at the end of a long-running show, and we're so proud of you all in Melbourne. It's been a wonderful four years; and who knows..."
A flicker of the long-forgotten ABBA rapport returned, as the two of them then launched into a rousing chorus of the old Vera Lynn war hit "We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when; but I know we'll meet again, some sunny day ..." It was fabulous! To see Benny and Björn singing together after almost 20 years was a real treat. To give it the ultimate finishing touch, Benny rounded it off with the closing riff of "Thank You For The Music" ...
All in all, a wonderful closing night as the Australian "Mamma Mia!" family leave us, with other dreams and other songs to sing.
We had a great time, made extra special by having Sydney ABBAMAILers Judy Sawyer, Mark Hannam and Greg and Jeff Roberts join us. And warmest thanks also to Luke Rogers for making me so welcome in my new adopted city.
Thanks to ABBAMAILer Chris Patrick, Victoria, Australia
