According to the font of all internet knowledge, Wikipedia, at one point there were at least seven performances of Mamma Mia each day across the world. In total over 53 million have attended the West End, Broadway and numerous other venues across the globe to hear the music of Abba performed as a backdrop to a tale of love, marriage and sunny Greece.

But will the Liverpool Empire performance of Mamma Mia help the audience forget about Pierce Brosnan’s warbling in the film adaptation of the multi award-winning play?

The familiar catalogue of Abba hits are used to take us through the story of Sophie, who lives with her mother on a Greek Island, as she invites three potential fathers to her wedding to the reluctant Sky. With 22 songs to get through, an entire sequined wardrobe of costumes and several comedic set pieces, the pace of the show matches the feisty songs and the result is a fun-filled and entertaining evening.

The clever, minimalistic set is a versatile backdrop to the musical and allows all of the attention of the performers. And, a few early microphone troubles aside, they deliver.

While Niamh Perry was excellent as vulnerable Sophie, in particular during a memorable duet of Lay All Your Love On Me with Justin Thomas’s Sky, the show was stolen by the trio playing ageing performers Donna and the Dynamos. Sara Pyzer, as mother Donna, was particularly impressive, livening up a slow start to the second act with a powerful rendition of The Winner Takes It All.

However, Shobna Gulati as thrice-divorced jet-setter Tanya and the brilliant Sue Devaney as Rosie were the highlight of the evening. From perfect comedic timing while singing Chiquitita to the latter’s hilarious rendition of Take A Chance On Me, in which the bemused Aussie Michael Beckley is the initially reluctant object of her affection, the duo justified the largest cheer of the night.

The trio are ably supported by the three potential fathers and the traditional happy ending ticks all the boxes for a good musical.

As the cast rattle through the hits, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun. The group numbers were spectacularly choreographed and the energy and athleticism of the ensemble gave the performance plenty of energy.

Jokes and innuendoes sprinkle the dialogue and with plenty crammed in to the two hours, there is enough for all ages of the family to enjoy.

After over a decade of on-stage success, Mamma Mia the musical looks to be as enduring as the songs that inspired it. In this fresh, fun adaptation it shows no signs of slowing down. In the impressive surroundings of the Liverpool Empire the cast get the stage their talents deserve – and anybody who wants to enjoy a fantastic family evening would be well advised to don their platform shoes and get themselves tickets.

If there are indeed seven performances of Mamma Mia taking place today – this is certainly going to be the best. It’s one not to be missed.

Mamma Mia tickets for the Liverpool Empire are on sale now. The show runs until 14 March 2015. For more information visit www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire.

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