The world premiere of *My Neighbour Totoro* triumphed at the 2023 Olivier Awards, winning six categories out of its nine nominations at the ceremony. It’s a good time for the Studio Ghibli stage adaptation, too, as *My Neighbour Totoro* will open in the West End next year, with performances at the [Gillian Lynne Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/gillian-lynne-theatre) from 8 March.

Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 Studio Ghibli film, *My Neighbour Totoro* follows Satsuki and Mei,...

Here's why 'My Neighbour Totoro' deserved all the Oliviers

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Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 Studio Ghibli film, *My Neighbour Totoro* will return to London later next year, opening at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

Next year, the [Royal Shakespeare Company’s](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/stars-on-stage/royal-shakespeare-company) triumphant 2022 stage adaptation of [*My Neighbour Totoro*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/25389-my-neighbour-totoro) heads to the West End's [Gillian Lynne Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/gillian-lynne-theatre) for a third run due to enormous popular demand. The show won six Olivier Awards and broke the Barbican’s box office record for the most tickets...

What to expect from London shows based on Studio Ghibli films

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Studio Ghibli is a renowned Japanese animation film studio founded in 1985. They are known for creating imaginative movies, including *My Neighbour Totoro* and *Spirited Away*.

A stage adaptation of television comedy *Inside No 9* will arrive in the West End next year. The show opens for a 12-week run at Wyndham's Theatre from 18 January 2025.

The TV show's original writers and performers Steve Pemberton (*The Pillowman*) and Reece Shearsmith (*A Very Expensive Poison*) will star in the West End show, titled *Stage/Fright*, which will blend original material with familiar characters from the series. 

Speaking about the announcement, Pemberton and Shearsmith said:...

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's 'Inside No 9' to be adapted for the West End 

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The TV show's original creators Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith will star in the West End adaptation when it opens next year. 

The hit musical comedy *Titanique* has confirmed plans for a West End run later this year. The show is currently performing at Off-Broadway venue the Daryl Roth Theatre.

The musical, which is co-written by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle, and Constantine Rousouli, has received critical acclaim and multiple awards since its premiere off Broadway at Asylum Theater in 2022.

The parody of James Cameron's Oscar-winning *Titanic* film features a raft of Celine Dion’s iconic songs including “My Heart Will...

'Titanique' confirms planned West End run

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The musical has received critical acclaim and multiple awards since its premiere off Broadway at Asylum Theater in 2022. It is currently at the Daryl Roth Theatre.

The British writer James Graham is on an incredible run at the moment. He just won the Olivier Award for Best New Play for *Dear England*, a fantastic drama about football manager Gareth Southgate, which enticed new audiences into theatre, and the musical *Tammy Faye*, for which he supplied the book, is opening on Broadway this autumn.

He’s also a prolific screenwriter, with recent hits including the crime series *Sherwood* and the dystopian drama *The Way*. Graham has that rare combination of...

Learn more about James Graham’s career ahead of 'Boys from the Blackstuff'

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From plays *Dear England* and *This House* to TV hits like *Sherwood*, Graham is unstoppable – and now his *Boys from the Blackstuff* is coming to the West End.

The bright lights of West End theatres are always appealing, but there are also a number of exciting Off-West End venues in the capital, such as the small but mighty [Bush Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/bush-theatre), which is nestled in west London.

This theatre has always punched above its weight, launching the careers of hugely successful writers such as James Graham and Lucy Kirkwood, as well as actors like Victoria Wood, Alan Rickman, Andrew Scott, and Phoebe...

A complete guide to the Bush Theatre

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Get to know this exciting new-writing venue in west London, which has launched the careers of Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Victoria Wood, among others.

The acclaimed screen and stage actor Ben Whishaw is back in town, starring in the premiere of Margaret Perry’s *[Bluets](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/39930-bluets)* at the Royal Court. The play is an adaptation of Maggie Nelson’s book and follows someone obsessed with the colour blue – taking in artists like Joni Mitchell and Billie Holiday as they navigate a devastating heartbreak.

Whishaw is joined in *Bluets* by *House of the Dragon* star Emma D’Arcy and *The Girl Before*’s Kayla...

Learn more about Ben Whishaw's career ahead of 'Bluets' at the Royal Court

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The James Bond and *Paddington* actor is co-starring in this new adaptation of Maggie Nelson's book *Bluets* with Emma D'Arcy and Kayla Meikle.

It’s another fantastic year for [Shakespeare plays](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/whats-on/shakespeare) in London, and as the weather (finally!) improves, you can start getting those outdoor shows in the diary, as well as all of the brilliant productions in the West End and beyond.

If you’re after a fresh take on the Bard, you’re definitely in luck. Sir Ian McKellen is already wowing audiences, giving his Falstaff a dynamic new spin in Robert Icke's adaptation of *Henry IV*, *[Player...

See modern adaptations and outdoor productions of Shakespeare plays in London

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Player Kings. Ian McKellen (Falstaff) & Toheeb Jimoh (Prince Harry). Credit - Manuel Harlan. 029

From Ian McKellen in *Player Kings* to an incredible open-air season at Shakespeare's Globe, there's a wide variety of shows on offer in London.

You just can’t beat family when it comes to riveting drama. Perhaps that’s because no one gets under your skin quite like the people you love and who know you best – and who are bonded to you by blood, like it or not. From Greek tragedy through Shakespearean slanging matches and contemporary clans, shows with family drama at their centre have always ruled our stages.

That’s certainly true of London theatre this year, which features a range of bickering families – from plays like *[Long Day's...

Watch West End family dramas on the London stage

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Enter the homes of these loving but fraught families in West End plays such as *Long Day's Journey Into Night* and musicals like *Back to the Future*.

Get ready for what promises to be the most talked-about play of the year. Hollywood star John Lithgow will play Roald Dahl in a new drama, *[Giant](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/39984-giant)*, which sees the famous author about to release his children’s book *The Witches*, but then rocked by a scandal surrounding anti-Semitic comments he made in an article.

Mark Rosenblatt’s debut play, directed by Nicholas Hytner (artistic director of the Bridge Theatre), also stars Elliot Levey...

Learn more about John Lithgow's career ahead of him playing Roald Dahl in 'Giant'

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The Tony and Emmy-winning Hollywood actor is starring in Mark Rosenblatt’s provocative new play *Giant* at the Royal Court in London this autumn.

Gimme, gimme, gimme a new [*Mamma Mia!*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/304-mamma-mia) West End cast. The new *Mamma Mia!* company will begin performances at the [Novello Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/novello-theatre) from 10 Oct. 2022. Mamma Mia! also extends at the Novello Theatre to 30 Sept. 2023. Book *Mamma Mia!* tickets on London Theatre.

Mazz Murray continues as Donna, alongside Josie Benson as Tanya, and Gemma Goggin as Rosie. [We recently spoke with the trio about how they create the Donna and the Dynamos magic in *Mamma Mia!*.](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/interviews/mamma-mia-interview-mazz-murray-josie-benson-gemma-goggin) Stephen Beckett continues as Bill. 

Meg Hateley and Miles Henderson make their West End debuts as Sophie and Sky respectively. They’re joined by Norman Bowman as Sam, Christopher Dickins as Harry, Natasha Heyward as Ali, Olivia Lallo as Lisa, Lucca Chadwick-Patel as Eddie, Jake Bailey as Pepper, and Jennifer Adab as Donna at certain performances.

Zac Adlam, Victoria Anderson, Gemma Atkins, Sinéad Courtney, Ellie-Grace Cousins, Lawrence Guntert, Natalie Jayne Hall, David Haydn, Jennifer Hepburn, Frankie Jones, Natalie Langston, Olivia Neville, Annell Odartey, Jessie Odeleye, Callum Rose, Jack Rose, Robert Slatter, Michael Storrs, Chloe Way, Simon Wilmont, Dan Wilshire and Jacob Young complete the *Mamma Mia!* Cast. 

The ABBA musical *Mamma Mia!* follows Sophie Sheridan as she prepares for her wedding day by inviting her three potential fathers to a Greek island. Once they're on the island, Sophie must hide the trio of men from her mother Donna before an unexpected wedding takes place. *Mamma Mia!* features ABBA songs including “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo” and “Take A Chance on Me.” [Find out more about *Mamma Mia!* in London.](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mamma-mia-in-london)

*Mamma Mia!* features an original story by Catherine Johnson, and music and lyrics by ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Phyllida Lloyd directs *Mamma Mia!*, and the show features choreography by Anthony Van Laast, design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, and sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken.

*Mamma Mia!* is at the Novello Theatre.

Book *Mamma Mia!* tickets on London Theatre.

[![LT - CTA - 250](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1t6HRGmhlYl70k6PmR0mOZ/3caac861bc1d4233cd7844652c925623/LT-CTA-250.png)](https://ticket.londontheatre.co.uk/booking/calendar?product_id=3134&content_product_id=3134&venue_id=110)

*Photo credit: Josie Benson as Tanya, Mazz Murray as Donna & Gemma Goggin as Rosie in MAMMA MIA! (Photo by Brinkhoff & Moegenburg)

‘Mamma Mia!’ announces new West End cast; tickets on sale through September 2023 

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Algolia Theatre: Last Minute Availability

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Production shot of Mamma Mia! in London, with Kate Graham as Tanya, Nicola-Dawn Brook as Rosie and Mazz Murry as Donna Sheridan.

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Production shot of Mamma Mia! in London, with Tobias Turley as Sky, Arcangelo Ciulla as Pepper and Chay Wills as Eddie.

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Did you know that ABBA didn’t come up with the original idea for the musical? Although *Mamma Mia!* uses ABBA’s greatest hits throughout the musical, London-based producer Judy Craymer developed the concept. She was inspired to stage an ABBA jukebox musical after listening to “The Winner Takes It All,” and she spent a decade convincing Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus to use the ABBA songs in a musical. 

Then, *Mamma Mia!* was born. Craymer formed an exciting team to bring the show to life: Catherine Johnson wrote the original *Mamma Mia!* story, and Phyllida Lloyd directs. 

Lloyd then went on to make her feature film directorial debut with the *Mamma Mia!* film. The movie features an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep as Donna Sheridan, Amanda Seyfried as Sophie Sheridan, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, and more. After the success of the first film and the stage show, the sequel *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again* was released in 2018. 

*Mamma Mia!* premiered at London’s Prince Edward Theatre in 1999, and has continuously played in the West End ever since. *Mamma Mia!* earned four Olivier nominations, including Best New Musical. Over 20 years later, audiences continue to bask in the unadulterated *Mamma Mia!* joy, and now you can too, as *Mamma Mia!* shows no signs of slowing down at the Novello Theatre.

## What to Watch For:

- During its London run, *Mamma Mia!* has played at three West End venues. The musical was at the Prince Edward Theatre from 1999 to 2004, and then the show transferred to the Prince of Wales Theatre from 2004 to 2012, when *Mamma Mia!* moved to the Novello Theatre where it’s played ever since. 
- ABBA’s songs are timeless and are listened to all over the world. The show has been translated into 16 languages, including Mandarin.
- While you’ll be tempted to sing along during the show, you’ll have your chance to boogie down during the *Mamma Mia!* ABBA megamix at the curtain call. Listen for more of your favourite ABBA hits!
- West End audiences can’t resist this musical! It's the third longest-running West End musical that’s currently playing, behind *Les Miserables* and *The Phantom of the Opera*. Over nine million people have watched *Mamma Mia!* in London since the show premiered in 1999.
- The show features music by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. They’d previously worked together on music for Chess, but for *Mamma Mia!*, they were able to work their ABBA tracks into a new, original story. 

Mamma Mia! - LON - TodayTix

Get the best prices on theatre tickets for Mamma Mia! on TodayTix. Get ready to dance, jive, and generally have the time of your life.

Mamma Mia! Tickets | London | TodayTix

Mamma Mia, here we go again! See this smash-hit musical featuring ABBA's greatest tunes, including "Dancing Queen" and "Waterloo." Sophie wants her father to be at her Greek Island wedding. The problem is, she doesn't know which one of three men he could be. Will any of them walk her down the aisle? Book tickets on TodayTix to find out.

Somewhere in the crowd, there’s you. The international hit musical continues to delight audiences, and now you can be the dancing queen. *Mamma Mia!* tickets are available on London Theatre now.

This irresistibly funny ABBA musical comedy follows an original story of love, friendship and the search for identity accompanied by a score of some of the most recognisable and uplifting pop music ever written. 

Set on a Greek island paradise, the *Mamma Mia!* musical tells the story of the newly engaged Sophie who is determined to find out the identity of her father and invite them to her wedding. Without telling her mother Donna, she writes to the three possible candidates and they all arrive just in time to see her walk down the aisle. The only question is, which one of the three very different men is it?

It took a long time for *Mamma Mia!* to come to life. Producer Judy Craymer spent a decade convincing Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus to use their songs in a musical. Eventually, they were won over and *Mamma Mia!* was born. The original London production features an incredibly talented cast of performers and musicians who bring this colourful and exciting story to life. 

Fans of the 2008 movie musical will also be delighted to see the show in its original form, so escape to this idyllic island paradise and enjoy the West End's greatest party. As one of the world's most successful and recognisable musical titles, it leaves audiences on their feet night after night.

### Are *Mamma Mia!* songs original?

There's a host of hit ABBA songs including “Money Money Money,” “Take a Chance on Me,", “Does Your Mother Know,” and “The Winner Takes it All." There's also a few songs in the musical that don’t feature in the *Mamma Mia!* film, including "Under Attack" and "I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do." [Discover more about the ABBA songs in *Mamma Mia!*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/all-the-abba-songs-in-mamma-mia)

Tickets to *Mamma Mia!* are available now. Book your *Mamma Mia!* tickets on London Theatre today.

Mamma Mia! - LON - London Theatre

Book theatre tickets for Mamma Mia! in London's West End. The international hit musical continues to delight audiences, and now you can be the dancing queen. 

Mamma Mia! Tickets | London Theatre

How can I resist you? This crowd-pleasing global smash began in London and continues to delight audiences around the world. The hit songs of ABBA tell the story of a bride-to-be who just wants to know who should walk her down the aisle. Join the party at *Mamma Mia!* at the Novello Theatre today. 

Mamma Mia! - LON - Box Office

Buy tickets for Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre in London. Find official theatre tickets to Musicals with Box Office.

Mamma Mia! Tickets | Box Office

The show features Abba songs which are cleverly integrated into the story written by Catherine Johnson. Young Sophie who lives with her mother on a small Greek island is about to be married to Sky and wishes for her father to walk her down the aisle. However, she has a problem, who is her father? Her mother does not want to tell her and so Sophie reads her mother's diary and discovers the name of three men who could possibly be her dad. Sophie secretly invites all three men to the wedding. The fun starts when the three men arrive on the island and discover why they have been invited.The show bounds along with endless energy and enthusiasm. The mixture of Abba songs, camp dance routines, platform boots and Lycra costumes based around a soppy romance comedy script creates a delightful evening of sheer fun and pleasure. This is pop music set to pop culture, pure unapologetic seventies tackiness that makes for a great evening's entertainment.<a href="/show/mamma-mia">Mamma Mia!</a> is energetic, funny and entertaining and appeals to all ages. No doubt one of the reasons the show is a success is because it does not try to be anything other than popular entertainment, and the production has the confidence to recognise this fact and does not take itself too seriously. For example, songs, such as "Chiquitita", "Take A Chance On Me", "Does Your Mother Know" are ingeniously slipped into the story line, and the audience bursts into favourable applause each time it happens.Vivien Parry who plays Donna is the indubitable star of the show, her powerful singing voice is superb for the Abba songs that she belts out. Her co-stars Lara Mulcahy and Kim Ismay, who play Donna's old friends Rosie &amp; Tanya , both give great comic performances, as well as having strong singing voices. These three women create a great comic trio and completely dominate the show.Choreographer Anthony van Laast's dance arrangement for Sophie's dream sequence is both daring and ridiculous and as a result is an hilarious success.<a href="/show/mamma-mia">Mamma Mia!</a> is no longer just a West End hit, it is now playing in many countries making it a worldwide success. It seems that <a href="/show/mamma-mia">Mamma Mia!</a> just goes on and on, and deservedly so. At long last, a musical based on ABBA's songs! That's what I thought as soon as I heard the show was opening. Being a teenager in the 70s I grew up with ABBA, and I had all their records in my collection. So I will try and give an unbalanced view of the show as best I can!!The show opened yesterday, 6th April, exactly 25 years to the day that ABBA won the Eurovision Song contest in 1974 with 'Waterloo', which strangely enough, is one of the few songs that does not feature in the show. The songs were written by the male members of ABBA, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and in fact Bjorn helped to produce this musical. The story is by Catherine Johnson, who had the most difficult task of writing a script to compliment over 20 of ABBA's songs.The story concerns Donna, who owns a small hotel on a tiny Greek Island. It is the eve of her daughter's wedding and unbeknown to Donna, Sophie her daughter has invited three of her mother's former lovers to the wedding, all of whom had an affair with her mother 21 years ago. Sophie is trying to find out who her dad is, so she secretly invited these men because she had read in her mother's diary that her mother had slept with each of them over a period of 15 days One of these men is Sophie's father, but which one? This basic story is all that is needed for the songs to be slotted in at the opportune moments.This show is extremely tacky and anyone who completely detests ABBA should stay well away! However, fans of ABBA will be blown away and taken on a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a breathtaking rollercoaster ride of their favourite ABBA songs. This is held together with a sugary story that makes the evening exactly what it is, a lot of fun, fun, fun! This is not attempting to be a Sondheim musical, or anything of the sort, it is just a vehicle in which to celebrate all those superb ABBA songs and in this the musical works perfectly.Siobhan McCarthy as the mother 'Donna', is outstanding. She has a powerful voice that belts out the ABBA songs in true ABBA style. Mind you, Siobhan is a very experienced performer. Her credits include the title role in "Evita" at the Prince Edward theatre, 'Mary Magdalen' in "Jesus Christ Superstar", ' Fantine' in Les Miserables", ''Svetlana' in the original production of "Chess" and many more. She has recently played 'Mrs Johnston' in "Blood Brothers" at the Phoenix Theatre. There is also a great performance from the prolific Jenny Galloway as 'Rosie', and Louise Plowright as ' Tanya'. These two bring lots of humour to the show, particularly the lovely, cuddly, scary Jenny Galloway. I have seen Jenny on the London stage many times in the last couple of years, playing all kinds of different roles and she has been impressive in each of them. Lisa Stokke as ' Sophie', and Andrew Langtree as her fiance 'Sky', perform adequately. Both have come from Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, with Lisa making her West End debut. Andrew recently made his West End debut in the lead role of Nick in "Fame" at the <a href="/theatres/prince-of-wales-theatre">Prince of Wales Theatre</a>.So has the show received a critical panning from the popular press as was expected? Well, the notices have not been that bad. NICHOLAS DE JONGH of the EVENING STANDARD says, "Thank you for the music...shame about the musical". BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE of THE TIMES says, " With so much fun in the theatrical air, the rest of us might as well indulge them." SHERIDEN MORLEY on TELETEXT really enjoyed the show saying, "After a shaky start, Mamma Mia soars" and goes on to say, "It's a genuinely touching and comic book allied to some of the greatest and most theatrical pop songs ever written." KATE BASSETT of THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Unfortunately, Johnson's dialogue often sounds like a banal soap opera" and goes onto say, "The cast are clearly having a hoot, almost raising their eyebrows when they have to break into lyrics that are barely relevant." THE FINANCIAL TIMES says, "You shouldn't take Mamma Mia! seriously: which is precisely why it proves to be one of the few good musicals on the London stage today."This show is strictly for people who like ABBA songs and like to have a 'good time'. Don't go to the show expecting any gripping story line, just go with the mind of enjoying the songs, reminiscing and having a lot of fun.This musical is a must for all ABBA fans!!(Darren Dalglish) <a href="/show/mamma-mia">Mamma Mia! Tickets</a> are now on sale.Note: The cast has changed many times since these reviews

Mamma Mia! Review

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Join the fun at **MAMMA MIA!**, the world’s sunniest, most exhilarating smash-hit musical! Since premiering in London’s West End over 23 years ago, ‘the ultimate feel-good show’ (__Classic FM__) has thrilled over 65 million people around the world.

The Novello Theatre opened as the Waldorf Theatre on 22 May 1905. The theatre was built as a pair with the [Aldwych Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/aldwych-theatre). The theatre has had several name changes: the Strand Theatre (1909), Whitney Theatre (1911), Strand Theatre (1913), and the Novello Theatre (2005). Its current name is after Welsh composer Ivor Novello who lived in the flat above the theatre for nearly 40 years.

The theatre has played host to several successful productions, including the 1941 premiere of the black comedy *Arsenic and Old Lace*, which enjoyed a run of 1337 performances, and the 1955 comedy *Sailor, Beware!*, playing 1231 performances. 

*No Sex Please, We’re British* ran at the Novello Theatre for 10 years from 1971 before transferring to the Garrick Theatre. *[Mamma Mia!](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/mamma-mia)* transferred from the [Prince of Wales Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/prince-of-wales-theatre) to the Novello Theatre in 2012.

## Novello Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has four levels - Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony. 

The stalls seats are well-raked and have no obstructions.

Dress Circle, Grand Circle, and Balcony seats may feel high, due to the theatre's narrow auditorium. 

## Where is *Mamma Mia!* in London?

*Mamma Mia!* is at the Novello Theatre. The Novello Theatre is located on Aldwych in the West End. It's near the Aldwych Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

‘Mamma Mia!’ announces new West End cast; tickets on sale through September 2023

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