Choreographer, dancer and fan, Larissa McGowan uses Cher’s iconic figure as a totem for exploring the reinvention of the universal aging female artist.

Cher is an inspired mash-up of gender, power and popular culture; a self-discovery of epic proportions; a headfirst dive into the artist’s path to immortality.

“After a nuclear holocaust, all that will be left are cockroaches and Cher.” Jimmy James

Cher
16 – 19 November 2022
Brisbane Powerhouse
wwwbrisbanepowerhouse.org

It tries its best to deliver something new with what is in essence the same set of songs as the first film (and musical on which the movie is based). It dips into flash backs, origin stories and flushes out the characters with extended back stories. They even add Cher to the mix and bring Meryl Streep back from the grave.

It’s unfair to be too critical of all this effort as the end product is rather infectious and more than a little bit charming. The challenge is not to your intellect but to keep from tapping your toes and singing along to the little bits of ear candy.

Even if you’re not a fan of those Swedish superstars, you will know most of the lyrics through osmosis. Their songs have been used is almost every context. See Mama Mia: Here We Go Again with someone you love, especially if they love ABBA.

Rob Hudson
www.mammamiaherewegoagain.com.au

Ten years after Mamma Mia! The Movie grossed more than $600 million around the world, you are invited to return to the magical Greek island of Kalokairi in an all-new original musical based on the songs of ABBA. With the film’s original cast returning and new additions including Lily James (Cinderella, Baby Driver), the musical comedy will open in Summer 2018.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, producers of the original film. Craymer is also the creator and producer of the worldwide smash-hit stage musical.

Ol Parker, writer of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, writes and directs the sequel from a story by Catherine Johnson, Richard Curtis and Parker. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus return to provide music and lyrics and serve as executive producers. Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Phyllida Lloyd, Richard Curtis and Nicky Kentish Barnes also serve as executive producers.

Reprising their roles from Mamma Mia! The Movie are Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep as Donna, Julie Walters as Rosie and Christine Baranski as Tanya. Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper reunite as Sophie and Sky, while Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård and Oscar®winner Colin Firth return to play Sophie’s three possible dads: Sam, Bill and Harry.

As the film goes back and forth in time to show how relationships forged in the past resonate in the present, James will play the role of Young Donna. Filling the roles of Young Rosie and Young Tanya are Alexa Davies (A Brilliant Young Mind) and Jessica Keenan Wynn (Broadway’s Beautiful). Young Sam will be played by Jeremy Irvine (War Horse), while Young Bill is Josh Dylan (Allied) and Young Harry is Hugh Skinner (Kill Your Friends).
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