WE’VE have only just packed away the Christmas decorations, but over at Oxford’s New Theatre, they are already planning this year’s festive programme. And, the highlight, they reveal today, is set to be ‘ABBA-solutely’ brilliant – with the return of feel-good musical Mamma Mia.

The West End smash is a quirky romance set on a Greek island and is based around the music of Abba.

It was staged to great acclaim at the George Street venue in winter 2017 and returns for a four-week run on December 8 as part of an international tour celebrating 20 years since its London premiere.

Judy Craymer, the show’s creator and producer, said: “We are incredibly excited to announce that Mamma Mia! will be returning to Oxford next Christmas as part of the UK and international tour celebrating 20 years since the show first opened in London’s West End.

“Oxford is very much a part of the Mamma Mia! family as we had a fabulous time shooting the opening scene of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again there in 2017, and we can’t wait to welcome new audiences as well as those who would love to enjoy the feel-good story and joyous music of ABBA once again."

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Nick Parr, Theatre Director at the New Theatre Oxford said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Mamma Mia! back to Oxford this year.

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"It’s a real feel-good show to have as our Christmas production. There has been a fantastic reaction to the announcement and it looks set to be one of the hottest tickets in the city this winter.”

Tickets are already available from the New Theatre box office, by ringing 0844 871 3020 or at atgtickets.com/oxford

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  • Mamma Mia is one of the most successful musicals ever – seen by over 65 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages. In 2011 it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.
  • It became the eighth longest running show in Broadway history where it played a record‐breaking run for 14 years.
  • Produced by Judy Craymer, Mamma Mia! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008. A second film, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.
  • With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, the show is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast.
  • The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.