All my life I wanted to watch a West End musical and sit in the audience and experience that thrill. To feel the atmosphere of it all.

As the years went by, I never thought I would get the chance to do that. Then March 2026 happened, and I was able to go and watch my first West End musical, Mamma Mia.

I was so excited when I walked up to the theatre and saw the poster; it made me understand it was finally going to happen. Of course we were early and had to kill time, but that was ok.

I thought inside would be bigger, but it was the same as the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. But that’s not a negative thing; if you have been inside the Theatre Royal, then you will know how big it is.

All my life I wanted to watch a West End musical and sit in the audience and experience that thrill. To feel the atmosphere of it all.

As the years went by, I never thought I would get the chance to do that. Then March 2026 happened, and I was able to go and watch my first West End musical, Mamma Mia.

I was so excited when I walked up to the theatre and saw the poster; it made me understand it was finally going to happen. Of course we were early and had to kill time, but that was ok.

I thought inside would be bigger, but it was the same as the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. But that’s not a negative thing; if you have been inside the Theatre Royal, then you will know how big it is.

The atmosphere inside even before the show started was electric. The chatter from the packed theatre was like bugs on a summer’s day.

When the curtain went up and the silence hit, that was a moment I will never forget. The musical began, and it was so perfect. I Had A Dream kicked off, and that was when I fell in love with it.

The rest of the show went on, and it kept getting better and better. And by the time it ended, I had come to the conclusion that no matter how much I loved the film version, the stage version will always be superior.

While the film has its merits and tells a great story and is a perfect film to watch when you want to watch something great, the stage musical makes you think you are there in person watching it happen.

The songs are raw, and you can hear the expressions and feel the vibrations around the room, something that is missing from the film version, even if you have a good sound bar.

Another thing I noticed is the plot becomes clearer and better to understand when you are watching it in person. It also makes a few plot points clear that were left ambiguous in the movie.

The biggest one being (spoiler alert) Harry confirmed as gay. In the musical we hear that Donna was the first and last girl he loved and that his partner that he’s mentioned is a man. In the film it is hinted bit it is never said.

I will continue to watch the musical on film but if you are lucky enough to watch it in the west end or theatre then take that chance

When the curtain went up and the silence hit, that was a moment I will never forget. The musical began, and it was so perfect. I Had A Dream kicked off, and that was when I fell in love with it.

The rest of the show went on, and it kept getting better and better. And by the time it ended, I had come to the conclusion that no matter how much I loved the film version, the stage version will always be superior.

While the film has its merits and tells a great story and is a perfect film to watch when you want to watch something great, the stage musical makes you think you are there in person watching it happen.

The songs are raw, and you can hear the expressions and feel the vibrations around the room, something that is missing from the film version, even if you have a good sound bar.

Another thing I noticed is the plot becomes clearer and better to understand when you are watching it in person. It also makes a few plot points clear that were left ambiguous in the movie.

The biggest one being (spoiler alert) Harry confirmed as gay. In the musical we hear that Donna was the first and last girl he loved and that his partner that he’s mentioned is a man. In the film it is hinted bit it is never said.

I will continue to watch the musical on film but if you are lucky enough to watch it in the west end or theatre then take that chance.