MANY years ago a liberal sprinkling of fairy-dust produced a legendary Swedish band called ABBA. Together they created hit after hit for the glittering world of disco. In 1999 a secondary sprinkling was reported to have fallen on an unsuspecting creative team working to bring ABBA’s magical music to the stage. And so it came to pass that Mamma Mia! was born…

Well of course it didn’t happen like that, but you could be excused for thinking it did; such a phenomenal musical success it has become. Catherine Johnson’s clever book, Mark Thompson’s splendidly sunny designs complemented by Howard Harrison’s cue-perfect lighting, Anthony van Laast’s exuberant choreography (with the now legendary flipper wearing scuba-divers) and Phyllida Lloyd’s impeccable direction all contributed to its success, along with the dynamic performers, who this week looked as though they were simply having a ball.

Sophie is about to marry and she wants her father to give her away, but which of the three options in her mother’s diary is he? Donna has always been very secretive about this particular moment in her life and so, determined to find out, Sophie invites them all. Cue for a Greek island reunion, and for the party to begin.

The great news for Newcastle is that this happiest of all feel-good musicals is here for three weeks. The bad news is that there are only a few tickets left, so make sure you snap them up quickly. And as for ABBA, well it’s simply, ‘Thank you for the Music’.

* Until April 15. Box Office: 08448 112121 or www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Laurence Sach