MAMMA MIA Review 2026 at Montecasino
A dress rehearsal full of colour and character
Words and photographs by Dale Kopping | DK EXPRESSIONS
Review based on the dress rehearsal and previous year’s performance
Photographing the MAMMA MIA! dress rehearsal at Montecasino gave me plenty to work with. Blue doors and staircases framed a company in motion, bright costumes stood out against the whitewashed set, and the playful table scenes brought expressive faces into the same frame.
The rehearsal left me encouraged by what Johannesburg audiences can expect. Looking back through the photographs, the strongest impression is of a production with plenty of personality and a visual style that suits its island setting.
Presented by Showtime Management, MAMMA MIA! is at the Teatro at Montecasino in Fourways, Johannesburg, from 16 October to 22 November 2026.
Greek island colour on a Johannesburg stage
The set gives the performers a recognisable world to inhabit. White walls, blue railings, doors and staircases establish the island setting, while pots of flowers add splashes of colour. The different levels also give the wide photographs depth, with performers appearing on the stairs, around the tables and across the front of the stage.
Blue lighting shapes the photographs
Several of the rehearsal scenes are washed in deep blue. It is a strong theatrical look, particularly when the white clothing and pale set catch the light. Brighter moments reveal more of the costume colours and faces, giving the gallery a welcome change of mood.
As a photographer, I enjoyed having both views to work with. The wide frames show how the company occupies the space; the closer images bring out the expressions and gestures within it.
The ensemble keeps the picture moving
The table-centred sequences supplied some of the most playful images. A reclining performer becomes the focus of the group, chairs are raised overhead, and the ensemble gathers around the blue furniture in changing formations.
A lot is happening across those frames. What makes them interesting is the way a face, an outstretched arm or a raised fan draws attention within the larger group. That sense of activity gives the photographs their character.
ABBA songs give MAMMA MIA its familiar pull
ABBA remains a major part of the attraction. The musical includes Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Super Trouper and Take a Chance on Me, giving audiences a songbook many will already know.
Familiar music is a good invitation into a theatre. The story then gives those songs a setting and relationships to work through, with room for humour as well as the complications of family life.
Family and friendship give the story a centre
At the heart of MAMMA MIA! are Donna, her daughter Sophie, a wedding and three possible fathers. Friendship sits alongside that family story, giving the characters around Donna and Sophie an important place in the show.
The South African cast behind the 2026 production
The announced cast includes Amra-Faye Wright as Donna Sheridan, Samantha Peo as Tanya, Lindy Abromowitz as Rosie and Leah Mari as Sophie Sheridan. Paul du Toit plays Sam Carmichael, Matt Newman is Harry Bright and Tiaan Rautenbach is Bill Austin.
The rehearsal photographs also make a good case for giving the ensemble space in the coverage. The performers around the central characters help fill the island setting with activity, and their reactions often add another point of interest to a scene.
Through the DK EXPRESSIONS lens
The gallery moves between the full stage and the smaller moments happening within it. Wide images keep the architecture and ensemble in view. Closer photographs concentrate on the group around a table, the contrast between costumes, or an expression caught during a busy sequence.
That is what I wanted to capture for DK EXPRESSIONS: a sense of how the rehearsal looked as a whole, alongside the details that are easy to miss when so much is happening at once.
DK EXPRESSIONS verdict
The dress rehearsal made a positive impression. Its colour, expressive staging and playful ensemble scenes gave me a strong set of images and plenty to enjoy looking back on.
If the show is as good as the dress rehearsal was, it will surely be entertaining.
For ABBA fans and readers considering a theatre outing in Johannesburg, this Montecasino season deserves a look. My photographs offer a glimpse of the characters and stage picture waiting behind that familiar title.
MAMMA MIA tickets and booking information
The Johannesburg season runs at the Teatro at Montecasino from 16 October to 22 November 2026. The venue lists tickets from R250 to R580; check the selected performance for current prices and availability.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, the authorised seller. For the Johannesburg production, use the direct Ticketmaster South Africa MAMMA MIA booking page.
MAMMA MIA review quick answers
Where is MAMMA MIA playing in Johannesburg?
MAMMA MIA! is playing at the Teatro at Montecasino in Fourways, Johannesburg, Gauteng, from 16 October to 22 November 2026.
How long is the show?
The running time is approximately two hours and 30 minutes, including an interval.
Is MAMMA MIA suitable for children?
Showtime Management gives the production a PG rating and recommends it for ages 12 and older. Children under three and babies in arms are not admitted.
Where can I buy tickets?
Book through the official Ticketmaster South Africa listing for the Teatro at Montecasino season.
What does this MAMMA MIA review cover?
This review reflects the dress rehearsal photographed by Dale Kopping for DK EXPRESSIONS, with a focus on the staging, visual atmosphere and ensemble scenes.
