Spotlight on 'Mamma Mia!' with star Kate Graham

As part of a series celebrating some of the West End's longest-running shows, we speak to the actress who plays Tanya — one third of Donna and the Dynamos — in the ABBA-scored hit.

Since disco-dancing into the West End in 1999, Mamma Mia! has earned Grammy and Olivier Award nominations, become the third longest-running musical in London, and opened productions far beyond the U.K. to become a worldwide phenomenon that has drawn in millions looking to dance, jive, and have the time of their life.

Kate Graham first joined the West End cast of the beloved jukebox musical at the Novello Theatre in 2017 and returned to the role of Tanya on the much-loved Greek island in 2023, performing alongside Mazz Murray as Donna and Nicola-Dawn Brook as Rosie.

She has starred as Diane in Come From Away, Cherry Sundae in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, among many other shows, but today she talks to LondonTheatre.co.uk about the long-running ABBA musical, which is celebrating 26 sun-soaked years in the West End.

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Why do you think this show has lasted for so long in the West End?

I think people of all generations love the music of ABBA and it’s something that families can sing and dance along to together in the finale, which makes it a really great night out. The story has something in it for all generations, it's easy to identify with the relationships and characters, and the show is so full of joy and holiday spirit that it sends everyone out on a high.

Mamma Mia! has romance, intrigue, fun and a real acceptance that family comes in many forms. People come again and again and become fans of the show for all sorts of reasons: to celebrate life events, on dates, with friends, with families, and to remember loved ones who also enjoyed it, but it’s always because the show makes them feel good in some way. It’s a real privilege to be a part of all of those moments.

What is the best audience reaction you have seen to the show?

My favourite is when we look out in the finale and see four generations of the same family all singing and dancing — but that happens quite often! I guess the most exhilarating and unusual reaction recently was during the 25th Anniversary performance, which had such a buzz about it. There were lots of spontaneous rounds of applause for well-known moments and "The Winner Takes It All” got a standing ovation mid-song. You could really feel the genuine affection that people have for the show and it was a true celebration of all the joy it has brought countless audiences over the years.

What is your favourite moment in the show?

I will never tire of the moment in the finale when Donna and the Dynamos walk downstage as a three over the intro to "Dancing Queen" — it makes you feel like an actual rockstar! But I also love the tenderness of "Slipping Through My Fingers" and the very real mother-daughter relationship in that moment.

What is a little-known secret about performing in this show?

There’s the 'clap clap' tradition backstage over the overture but I feel like that’s been posted about all over Instagram lately… There are lots of little treasures to be found in the design of the show, from the gradually morphing colour scheme to the fact that some characters wear watches and some don’t — there’s always a reason!

What do you hope audiences take away from the show?

I hope they leave their troubles at the door for a few hours and get swept away in all the emotions of the story, leaving on a high with the feeling that all kinds of people can make up your family, so long as there is love.

Book Mamma Mia! tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Thomas Walton and Kate Graham in Mamma Mia! Inset: with Mazz Murray and Nicola-Dawn Brook. (Photos by Brinkhoff & Mögenburg)