We have a quick chat with Louise Symes (Playing Donna), Courtney Bell (Playing Sophie) and Blake Erickson (Playing Harry) from Packemin productions’ Mamma Mia.
What inspired you to become a performer?
Louise: When I was 10 years old, my mother took me to see the musical “Gigi” in my hometown of Bathurst. I remember being completely transfixed on the stage and fell in love with the entire experience. I vowed that I would be on the stage one day.
Courtney: I was fortunate enough to be cast in three professional productions at a young age – The Sound of Music, Annie and The Wizard of Oz. I quickly fell in love with the thrill of being on stage. I knew I wanted to be a part of creating that magic for the rest of my life. I was surrounded by incredible performers, such as Anthony Warlow, Nancye Hayes and the late Rob Guest, who were big inspirations to me at the time.
Blake: I wanted to tell stories that mean something to people, that uplift and illuminate.
What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not on stage?
Louise: I love being a Mum. It is the hardest and yet the most rewarding thing you can do. I love that at the end of every crazy day I feel so honoured to be a mother, best thing ever.
Courtney: When I’m not performing I really love the simple things! Spending time with loved ones, going exploring on long walks and settling into a good book by the fire.
Blake: This is going to sound phenomenally dull but I love working on my car, and I’m a big fan of aviation so there’s nowhere I love to be more than the airport.
What is your favourite ABBA song?
Louise: I love ALL ABBA songs…seriously! The first album I ever bought was “ABBA Arrival” when I was about 8 years old. Since being in Mamma Mia! Slipping Through My Fingers has quickly become my favourite songs because as a parent it is very poignant. The lyrics absolutely touch your heart…it’s very hard for me to sing it without getting emotional.
Courtney: It’s a close tie between Waterloo because it’s just so much fun and Slipping Through My Fingers because it is very poignant and relatable and I can’t help but become emotional when I hear it!
Blake: Waterloo. It’s where it all began, and what a banger. Just try and resist living your best Muriel and Rhonda fantasy when it comes on.
Tell us about your character…
Louise: I play Donna, Mother of Sophie. She is a very hard worker who has been dealt a few knocks in life but she gets up and dusts herself off and gets on with things. Donna is wonderful to play because she still has moments of her youthful fun and energy but also has a wonderful depth of character for example the underlying sadness of losing the man she loved when she was younger as well as feeling emotional about losing her twenty year old daughter who is getting married.
Courtney: Sophie is a bubbly, kind-hearted, free-spirited 20 year old who is on the precipice of the rest of her life in Mamma Mia!. After growing up with her just as free-spirited and unconventional Mum, Donna, Sophie is determined to discover the part of herself that’s always been missing by finding out who her Dad is, as her Mum would never say. She is set to marry the love of her life, Sky, and to do everything properly, unlike her Mum, including having her Dad walk her down the aisle. So after sneaking a peek at her Mums diary, she invites three possible Dad candidates to her wedding. Sophie chases her dreams, but she is lost between the idea of a conventional marriage to the love of her life, which also allows her to fulfil the obligation she feels to stay and support her Mum after all she has done for her, to the excitement and allure of travelling the world with Sky, but hopes to find the answers to all her uncertainties by finding her Dad.
Sophie and I share the fire to boldly chase our dreams and follow our heart. Like her, I also have been determined to forge my own path and to put my loved ones first. We also both love to blast out an ABBA song on the dance floor.
Blake: I play Harry Bright, a former wild-child who lived his happiest season with Donna. Nowadays Harry works in a London bank and has come to the island to relive his youth. Donna was the last woman he ever loved and I think he’s searching for happiness. He doesn’t have children and is thrilled at the prospect that he might be Sophie’s dad. He’s a very charming character and lots of fun. If anything I’m probably on the opposite trajectory, it’s about time I grew up and got a respectable job.
If you could have dinner with one character from any musical or play, who would it be and why?
Louise: Oh gosh…for me at the moment it would be Sam in Mamma Mia! – there is something really special about his character…or…I recently saw “The Dismissal” at the Seymour Centre which I absolutely loved and so I would love to have dinner with Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser together.
Courtney: I think I’d have a sleepover with Galinda from Wicked. Get a makeover and borrow one of those gowns!
Blake: Joanne from Company, especially if played by Elaine Stritch. Rise!!!!
Can you tell us what your favourite career moment has been so far?
Louise: By far, Mamma Mia! has been the most fun and most exciting project I have worked on. I also loved playing Lily in Miranda Musical Society’s The Secret Garden because my children Laura and AJ played the lead children roles.
Courtney: I was recently in the Australian and New Zealand tour of Madiba the Musical, based on the life of Nelson Mandela. I’ll never forget the first time I went on for the role of Helena in the show. It was an exhilarating experience that I loved from start to finish. The show told a significant story that is important to so many and it was an honour to do it alongside a cast that gave so much of themselves at every performance.
Blake: I’ve been lucky enough to have opened many shows I’m incredibly proud of, but earlier this year I had the chance to sing Being Alive in front of a packed house at the City Recital Hall and it was quite a moment.
What are you most looking forward to about Mamma Mia!?
Louise: I’m really looking forward to sharing the stage with some outstanding actors that I’ve admired for so long. The entire cast is brilliant.
Courtney: It has been such a joy working on Mamma Mia! with the talented creatives, cast and crew, so to finally be bringing this feel good show to the stage for audiences is exhilarating. There are amazing performances from every single person involved which makes our version of the show extra special. I can’t wait for the big dance party at the end of each show!!
Blake: As a child of the 90’s I grew up around the ABBA revival, so singing and dancing to this iconic score is a dream come true.
What is it like performing in such a fun, upbeat and well- known show?
Louise: This show makes people happy. I have loved every second of my rehearsals and I look forward to the performances. The entire show has an exciting energy which is contagious.
Courtney: I remember Mum taking my best friend and I to Mamma Mia! when I was younger. I fell in love with the show and thought to myself “I’d love to play Sophie one day”. We blasted ABBA all the way home and sang along at the top of our voice. So getting to step into Sophie’s shoes is making 13 year old Courtney’s dreams come true. There is always pressure when performing something well known, but I always try to bring my own energy and unique qualities to it, which keeps things fresh. There is so much love and energy in this show that you are quickly swept away by it!
Blake: Every night we get to go and party on a Greek island, what’s not to love?!
Why should people come and see this production of Mamma Mia!?
Louise: People should come and see the show for the outstanding cast and musicians. It will always be a fun night out.
Courtney: Mamma Mia! is a show filled with love, good energy and your favourite ABBA tunes. We have over 70 passionate and talented performers, as well as such incredible and accomplished talents in the lead roles. It’s a joy to perform alongside them all and the energy is infectious! It’s a fun, feel-good night out for all and you’ll be singing it all the way home!
Blake: It’s winter. It’s cold. Everyone is a bit sniffly and miserable – come away to a Greek island where it’s sunshine and happiness and music and fun. You already know you’re gonna love it.
If you could describe the show in 3 words what would they be?
Louise: Entertaining, Amusing, FUN!
Courtney: Love, joy, ABBA.
Blake: Big Bright Fun
What is the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night?
Louise: Well, I would love to say that I get up very gently and mediate for half an hour and do some yoga….but…in reality I wake up being squashed by one or two children who have snuck into my bed during the night. So for me the day starts in a wonderful noisy chaos. The last thing I do before I go to sleep is I go in to my youngest children’s room and pull up their covers which they invariably kick off (even in mid-winter), I look lovingly at their divine little faces and whisper that I absolutely love them.
Courtney: Well first of all, I get out of the bed haha. Then hit the gym and grab my caffeine classic – a large almond latte. The last thing I do at night is sign out of Facebook!
Blake: Check twitter and check twitter.
Do you have a ritual of things you do before you go on stage?
Louise: Absolutely yes. I always get to the theatre early and walk onto the stage to get a feel of the theatre and desensitise. It is very calming. I like to run all of my lines and think about my dancing and music… from there it usually turns into mess with laughing, eating, post-it notes explaining my costume changes, lost shoes, dropped lipstick…etc.
Courtney: I like to keep calm and grounded before I go on, so I’ll listen to some music, think through the show, and make sure I warm up. I also love to connect with the people I’m about to share the stage with, so I’ll make sure I check in if I can!
Blake: Brush my teeth immediately before curtain.
Who has inspired you the most personally or professionally?
Louise: I am inspired by anyone who’s kind, compassionate and who believes in making the world a better place. In musical theatre I have always been inspired Geraldine Turner since I saw her in Into the Woods at the Sydney Opera House many, many years ago. Geraldine is an exceptional actress and singer but she is also a person of strength, compassion, sensitivity and conviction. Her amazing conductor husband, Brian Castles-Onion has vocal coached me in my opera singing. I love them both. Twenty two years ago I went to the Sydney production of Beauty and the Beast and was blown away with the young and handsome Scott Irwin who played Gaston. I loved it so much I went twice. It still seems completely surreal (and a little intimidating) that I am now playing opposite Scott in Mamma Mia!. His support and generosity has been inestimable. He has been a sounding board for me during this very busy rehearsal period to further discuss my character. I’m very grateful.
Courtney: Professionally, I love people that make it happen for themselves while keeping the balance. In the musical theatre world, someone like Lucy Durack has really forged a wonderful career for herself as well as having a beautiful family, which is very inspiring!
Blake: I’ve been enormously inspired by Mark Simpson, a triple threat who has been threatening audiences across Australia for many years.
If you could send out a tweet that would reach the entire world, what would it say?
Louise: Nurture your children, they are our future. Be kind to everyone. Eat well, live well. Drink LOTS of tea (proper english breakfast loose leaf tea made in a teapot… with a Ginger Nut biscuit on the side).
Courtney: Come and see Mamma Mia! at Riverside!! hehe
Blake: I am now accepting donations via paypal. Link in bio.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Louise: Mum always said “NEVER yell at your children” I love that advice….I have failed at this sometimes, but only very occasionally. We have the huge responsibility to teach our children respect, responsibility, kindness, compassion, music…all the good stuff. It is the most important job in the world and getting it mostly right is imperative for a better world.
Courtney: There have been some wonderful gems of wisdom come my way over the years that I have been very grateful for. I think one of my favourites is the idea of being the change and that change starts with you. Rather than first resorting to blaming others, see what you can do to make things better for yourself and those around you.
Blake: “When you get what you want, it feels great” – Belinda Blumenthal
Mamma Mia
by Catherine Johnson, based on the songs of ABBA composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
2 – 17 August 2019
Friday 2 August at 11am – Preview/Schools Performance
Friday 2 August at 7:30pm – Opening Night
Saturday 3 August at 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday 4 August at 3pm
Wednesday 7 August at 7:30pm
Thursday 8 August at 7:30pm
Friday 9 August at 7:30pm – Audio Described Performance
Saturday 10 August at 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday 11 August at 11am & 4pm
Venue: Riverside Theatre
Theatre Company: Packemin Productions
Duration: N/A
Wednesday 14 August at 7:30pm
Thursday 15 August at 7:30pm
Friday 16 August at 7:30pm
Saturday 17 August at 2pm & 7:30pm
Packemin Productions, the team behind the hit productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Shrek, Wicked, Legally Blonde and The Phantom Of The Opera, will transport you to a Greek island paradise at Riverside Theatres, bursting onto the stage with a brand new production of one of the world’s favourite feel-good musicals… MAMMA MIA!
Starring Scott Irwin (Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story) as Sam, Debora Krizak (Sweet Charity, Anything Goes) as Tanya, Courtney Bell (Madiba The Musical) as Sophie, Blake Erickson (Madiba The Musical, Les Miserables) as Harry, Mark Simpson (Hairspray, Kinky Boots) as Bill, Louise Symes as Donna, Chris White (Hi-5) as Sky, along with a large cast of upbeat, energetic musical theatre performers, Mamma Mia promises to be an entertaining night out at the theatre.
Featuring hit after hit from the incredible songs of ABBA including Dancing Queen, Voulez Vous, S.O.S, Take a Chance On Me and The Winner Takes It All, MAMMA MIA tells the hilarious and heart-warming story of a young woman’s search for her birth father. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.
A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! MAMMA MIA is the perfect musical for the whole family.
Ticket Prices
PREVIEW
Adult: $49
School Groups: $35
Groups 10+ $47
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FRI/SAT/SUN
PREMIUM
Adults $65
Concession $60
Youth 30&U $60
WED/THUR
PREMIUM
Adults $62
Concession $57
Youth 30&U $57
A RESERVE
Adults $52
Concession $47
Youth 30&U $47
Groups 10+ $47
A RESERVE
Adults $55
Concession $50
Youth 30&U $50
Groups 10+ $50
Transaction fees apply
Phone $4.60
Web $3.60
Counter $2.60
School Bookings $3.30
