The life of a Mamma Mia! starlet is not all sparkling rhinestones, eye-wateringly bright Lycra and the catchiest pop songs. It’s a grind bringing the high energy, toe-tapping, crowd-pleasing ABBA musical to the West End stage, and has been for the last 15 years.
At least, that’s what we thought until we asked former Over The Rainbow contestant Jessica Daley, currently playing Ali in the London long-runner, to give us an insight into life on the imagined Greek island where a young girl is looking forward to her wedding… before her three possible father’s turn up to complicate the matter.
Now we’ve seen Daley’s pictures, taking us from a sleepy dressing room giggles, it looks like the cast enjoy the show almost as much as the audience which, to be fair, is as it should be:
“Rise and shine for a 2 show day. Prep in the form of Ready Brek, a Berocca and a good old cuppa!”
“My commute this morning includes a walk over Waterloo bridge, a beauty of a day!”
“Pre warm-up in the dressing room.”
“With the man himself, our awesome Musical Director Marcus Savage, before warm-up onstage.”
“Let’s get physical in warm-up.”
“Some of the cast, in our glorious theatre, during vocal warm-up.”
“Achieving the minimal-makeup, sun-kissed look.”
“With my pals Emma Crossley (who plays Sophie) and Katy Osborne (second cover Lisa/swing) before the show for a quick Sophie, Ali, Lisa photo.”
“Act One beginners in the wing with our legend of a Stage Manager, Neil Copley aka Kylie.”
“It’s Hen Party time with Sophie and Lisa!”
“Interval dance party at Act 2 beginners with Dianne Pilkington (Donna), Richard Trinder (Sam), Kim Ismay (Tanya) and the rest of the gang.”
“Naughty bridesmaids before Sophie’s wedding.”
If Jessica’s backstage pictures have piqued your interest, you can buy tickets for Mamma Mia! from us.