The curtain is finally calling: MAMMA MIA! opens at The Q

Posted on 14 April, 2021

A year ago, the cast and crew of Free-Rain Theatre Company’s MAMMA MIA! were rehearsed and ready to go—until COVID-19 said the show must not go on. Well, that’s all about to change…

As we begin to return to some form of normality, the stars of MAMMA MIA! have been able to reunite, with the beloved musical opening this Thursday 15 April at The Q in Queanbeyan.

For Louiza Blomfield, who plays mother and former pop-star Donna Sheridan in the show, it felt like “she was being Punk’d” when four weeks out from opening night, Louiza and her castmates had to abandon months of preparation.

For Louiza, the impending health crisis also held professional challenges, as she had just stepped into a senior role at the Canberra Hospital Foundation.

Luckily, with Canberra’s own COVID numbers soon under control, the cast were able to ease into rehearsals once 50 people were allowed to gather indoors in late 2020.

“There were some adjustments, but you sort of feel guilty for feeling so lucky,” says Louiza, who says that the monthly rehearsals were a bright spot for cast and crew alike.

“There was something very comforting about it. You couldn’t do much else—we couldn’t travel—so we would really look forward to that one Sunday a month.”

“[The cast would] dance around with no pressure because we didn’t really know what was going to happen. The beautiful thing about theatre is immersing yourself and entering this other world…it meant a lot to us to have the escape during that time.”

(L-R) Charlotte Gearside and Louiza Blomfield.

While many months went by without any clarity as to when they might perform for an audience, Louiza was delighted when the April opening date was set, with regular rehearsals beginning in earnest this January.

The luxury of being able to perform for an audience when Broadway and the East End stand quiet isn’t lost on anyone in the show.

“We feel so grateful to be in the theatre and going through the emotions of putting a show together and bringing light back into the theatre—not only for us but for show business around the world and country,” says Louiza.

While taking on the major role of Donna Sheridan means following in the footsteps of legendary Meryl Streep, Louiza was drawn to the human moments that are created through Donna’s interactions with others.

“I love the fact that she’s a hippie and has taken the reigns of her life through heartbreak and raised a child who is loved and wants to travel the world,” says Louiza.

(L-R) Helen McFarlane; Louiza Blomfield: Tracy Noble.

As many fans will already be aware, MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate singalong, featuring an array of ABBA hits— a band that Louiza is very much familiar with, having grown up listening to their music.

Her favourite song she sings in the show? ‘The Winner Takes All’—Donna’s final, emotional number. Needless to say, it’s no small feat, calling for a lot of vocal and wellbeing prep.

“I steam twice a day and take all my vitamins,” says Louiza. “As our musical director would say ‘make deposits into the vocal health bank’.”

But what Louiza is most excited about is to welcome Canberrans back to the theatre.

“The cast are ready to tell their stories again,” she says. “I want people to leave the theatre feeling fantastic.”

With The Q is now at 100% capacity and tickets flying out the door, it’s time to warm up those singing voices.

Feature image: Musical number; Does Your Mother Know. All images supplied.