Mamma Mia! (West End) — My Review

Date: 30 October 2025
Theatre: Novello Theatre (West End) — ~1,146 seats
Seat / Price: Stalls, Row V, Seat 13 — £85
Time: 3:00pm–5:35pm

Two weeks ago I saw Mamma Mia! on Broadway. This West End visit revealed plenty of differences I genuinely liked, so I’ll focus on those contrasts.

Good Points

🏛️ How the room changes the show

Seat counts are similar, but the rooms feel different. Broadway’s house read wider, and the sound spread with an airy bloom. The Novello, by contrast, feels deeper and more vertical, bringing you physically closer to the mix. I noticed low-end energy thumping warm and tight in the body. I love the Broadway openness, but this West End “in-the-room” punch is very satisfying.

🎭 A tilt toward drama over spectacle

This may partly be the architecture, but Broadway played to me like a polished show, whereas the West End leaned into character and scene — closer to a TV drama in intimacy. Both modes work; they simply prioritise different pleasures.

🎼 Thoughtful sound dramaturgy

Beyond strong singing, I heard careful dynamic planning: not every number goes full throttle. Emotional weight and narrative position shape the energy. On the desk, I could hear reverb/echo profiles shifting to suit context — disco-adjacent sheen for party moments, memory-softened space for reflections, and dry, friendly textures for casual scenes. These subtle choices help the evening flow without ear fatigue.

Summary

Same title, different flavours: Broadway and the West End each reflect local habits and house character, and both are persuasive. Today’s performance also made me look back at Japan — what defines the strengths I carry from there, and how can I use them better?

Plenty more shows ahead. I’ll keep learning, one performance at a time.

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