Why you should make MAMMA MIA! your next holiday destination
Posted on
| By
Sian McBride
(Updated on Sep 5, 2025)
Fancy an unforgettable escape to the sun-soaked Greek island of Kalokairi? You don’t need a plane ticket or a passport - simply head to London’s Novello Theatre and let MAMMA MIA! transport you there. On this dazzling island, locals welcome you like family (even if there’s only a one-in-three chance you actually are), music fills the balmy air, and plush red theatre seats take the place of crowded sun loungers.
Why risk sunburn or splash out on overpriced ouzo when the world of Kalokairi is waiting right here in London? With tickets starting from just £18, it’s more affordable than a budget flight (and you’ll be in the heart of the action, not miles, and a few bus transfers, away from it!). So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets today!
It’s all inclusive
Forget club 18 – 30, everyone is welcome on this island! MAMMA MIA! isn’t just a musical; it’s a celebration of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Its universal themes are the reason it’s been seen by more than nine million people in London alone, making it the third longest-running musical in West End history.
Every audience member can see a piece of themselves in the characters. Maybe you relate to Sophie, navigating her relationship with her mother. Perhaps you’ve got friendships as strong as Tanya and Rosie’s, or maybe you’ve revisited the ghosts of past loves like Sam, Harry, and Bill. Donna, the ultimate strong, independent woman, reminds us all that life is best lived boldly, honestly, and with laughter along the way. MAMMA MIA! isn’t just their story; it’s yours, mine, and everyone else’s too.
The music
The heart of MAMMA MIA! is, of course, the music. With 23 iconic ABBA songs brought to life by West End’s finest performers, this is the ultimate feel-good soundtrack. There’s no dodgy karaoke here, just pure vocal brilliance and orchestrations that fill the theatre with joy.
From the empowering “Dancing Queen” to the heart-soaring “Take a Chance on Me” and the euphoric “Mamma Mia,” the score swings effortlessly between elation and emotion. Whether you’ve been an ABBA fan for decades or are hearing these classics for the first time, the songs will sweep you up in their energy and have you singing long after the curtain falls. Few bands capture both joy and heartbreak so effortlessly, which is why ABBA’s music is the perfect fit for such a heartfelt and uplifting story.
The friendly staff
The owner and manager of the Bella Donna hotel couldn’t be more hospitable. Do you know many people who would welcome three past ‘acquaintances’ with open arms whilst also helping prepare a wedding and running a fully booked B&B?! Donna Sheridan, owner, leading lady, and fan favourite is the embodiment of a strong independent woman. She isn’t here to be saved or positioned as a prize to be won, she is here to love and guide her daughter and have the best possible time with her lifelong friends by her side. She doesn’t need a man, but if she wants to, she can get one in a heartbeat.
Whilst visiting the Bella Donna you will soon bump into the owners’ friends and family; Sophie, Sky, Tanya, Rosie, Bill, Harry, and Sam, each bringing something beautifully unique to your stay. Bubbly, kind, free-spirited, and bold, Sophie is her mother’s daughter. A proud, independent young woman who hardly ever looks before she leaps. It’s because of this decisiveness that we have a show at all! Donna's friends, Tanya, and Rosie bring heaps of laughter and outlandish costumes to the show. Despite their physical and economic differences, the dynamic duo clearly love each other and inspire us to be accepting of those who may seem different from us.
The history
Since its West End premiere in 1999, MAMMA MIA! has become a worldwide sensation. It has played in more than 50 countries, across all six continents, and been translated into 16 languages. Over 65 million people have danced in their seats to this joyous musical, and the numbers keep growing.
From London to Las Vegas, Shanghai to Sydney, MAMMA MIA! has broken records and made history. In Las Vegas alone, it clocked over 1,000 performances, becoming the longest-running West End-style musical ever staged there. In Shanghai, it made history as the first Western musical produced in Chinese. When you see MAMMA MIA! at the Novello Theatre, you’re not just watching a show - you’re joining a global cultural movement.
The culture
MAMMA MIA! is more than a jukebox musical; it’s a full-blown celebration of joy, love, and community. It’s impossible to resist the energy of the show, which combines moments of pure, unfiltered happiness with moving reflections on life and love. It’s uncynical, heartfelt, and endlessly entertaining, the kind of musical that leaves you dancing in your seat and humming the songs all the way home.
Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, MAMMA MIA! on the West End promises one thing: you will dance, you will jive, and you truly will have the time of your life.
Book your tickets to MAMMA MIA! today
Leave your passport behind and escape to Kalokairi at the Novello Theatre. With laughter, heart, and ABBA’s timeless soundtrack, MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good West End musical. Don’t miss your chance to see the global sensation that has audiences around the world on their feet night after night.
Book your tickets to MAMMA MIA! today and get ready for the holiday you’ll never forget.