HERE we go again!
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Horsham Arts Council has officially cast its next production, Mamma Mia!, with some familiar faces set to take centre stage.
Horsham singing teacher Lisa Thomas has landed the lead role of Donna Sheridan, while Bella Patterson will play the part of Donna's daughter, Sophie.
While she is a familiar face at the Horsham Carols by Candlelight each year, this will be Mrs Thomas' first HAC show since 2007's Bye Bye Birdie.
It will be Miss Patterson's debut lead performance after she starred in supporting roles for the council's productions of Little Shop of Horrors and Rock of Ages.
Set at a hotel in the Greek Islands, Mamma Mia! follows the story of soon-to-be-married Sophie who secretly invites three men from her mother Donna's past hoping to meeting her real father.
The musical features a variety of songs from Swedish pop superstars ABBA, including Dancing Queen, Waterloo, SOS and the eponymous Mamma Mia.
It was adapted into a film in 2008 starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnon, Amanda Seyfried and Colin Firth. A sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, was released last year.
The rights for amateur productions to stage Mamma Mia! only became available this year.
Jessica Wilson and Stacey Brennan will play Donna's best friends Tanya and Rosie respectively. Sophie's three prospective dads will be played by Simon Dandy (Sam), Grant Johnson (Harry) and Timothy O'Donnell (Bill).
Loucas Vettos will play Sophie's fiance Sky, while Eleni Vettos and Paige Schmidt will play Sophie's best friends Ali and Lisa respectively.
Council president Simon Dandy said Mamma Mia! would appeal to a wide range of people.
"Just like Rock of Ages, it's a jukebox musical that's centered around songs everyone knows and loves. It's a good family show that's upbeat and really fun," he said.
Mamma Mia! director Maddi Ostapiw said the production wold showcase a wide range of performers from across the Wimmera.
"I really wanted people who could sing strongly, as well as emote the story. In jukebox musicals the story at times can be thin if you don't have someone who is skilled at showing the emotions behind the songs," she said.
"We've ended up with a cast who will be absolutely terrific with identifying with their characters and having chemistry on stage with each other. This cast is a really great blend of people who have been with HAC for a long time and people who are new."
Cast and crew have already started rehearsals for the show. Mamma Mia! will be performed at the Horsham Town Hall in October.
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