After months of planning, rehearsal, excitement, and exhaustion, the cast and crew of Mamma Mia! deserve to bask in the afterglow of their triumph.

The production was a roaring success, wowing the audience with the professionalism and talent showcased over the four-night run. Director, Philippa Hosken, and Assistant-to-the-Director/Stage Manager, Tylah James (Y12), certainly have cause to celebrate! Tylah is only a student but worked as hard as any of the adults involved - her commitment to the theatre is impressive and we have been fortunate to have her on board.

This was Philippa's first collaboration with Columba College and she was delighted with the result. She spoke highly of the indefatigable Liana Johnston (Producer) and her ability to 'make things happen'. She also praised the tireless commitment of Sarah Casbolt (Teacher-in-Charge of Music) and Ina Bercinskas (Teacher-in-Charge of Drama). I know the cast and crew will join me in thanking this team of four women for the hours of labour and love they poured into this production, giving our students an experience of a lifetime in the process. 

It was easy to forget you were watching school students with the calibre of the performances. Monet (Y12) as forty-year-old Donna Sheridan was a stand-out - somehow managing to convey a complex depth of love, pride, strength, remorse, and nostalgia far beyond her seventeen years. Monet's spotlit solo, 'The Winner Takes It All' was delivered with a palpable sense of heartache that moved many in the audience to tears. An accomplished actress, dancer, and vocalist, Monet was outstanding and left many of us convinced that she is on a path to stardom. Leila (Y12) played Monet's twenty-year-old daughter, Sophie, a young woman in the midst of an identity crisis while poised on the brink of marriage. Leila played the role with an air of innocence, sweetness, and class that provided the show with its emotional core. Anyone can relate to Sophie's desire to know the truth of who she is, and Leila's interactions with her three possible fathers and fiancé, Sky, were a poignant reminder to us all of how we must find our own inner strength before we can fully appreciate others. The connection between mother and daughter was beautifully portrayed by Monet and Leila and it is a testament to their acting skills that the number 'Slipping Through My Fingers', in which Donna grieves for the loss of her child as her daughter enters adulthood, was so moving. Leila's final number, 'I Have a Dream' was delivered with a sweetness and hopefulness that perfectly captured the transition from young adulthood to independence. Brava, Monet and brava, Leila!

Bringing some comic relief, Alice (Y12) and Brianna (Y13) were absolutely perfect as Donna's 'old' friends and former bandmates, Rosie and Tanya. Both shone in their solo numbers and I think every middle-aged woman in the audience found something to relate to in their performances. Alice was stunning as the man-eating-millionaire-hunting Tanya. Her performance of 'Does Your Mamma Know?' was one of the highlights of the evening, with Alice bringing equal measures of talent, sass, and skill to the fore. Her comedic timing was excellent and matched only by Brianna's hilarious rendition of 'Take a Chance on Me'. Both Alice and Brie had the audience roaring with laughter and were utterly unforgettable, combining singing, dancing, and acting with delightful ease.

Other notable performances came from Grace (Y12) and Elloise (Y13) as Sophie's two best friends/bridesmaids. Their vocals and dancing were, as always, on point. Piyapat (Y12) as the wedding celebrant was a joy on stage and Keren (Y11) worked well with Bayfield High School's Lucas MacLeod to create a delightful duo of island buffoons. Glenn (Y11), Harper (Y11), and Evers (Y13) from John McGlashan College were incredible as Sophie's three 'possible' fathers and Donna's former lovers, with each bringing impressive talent to the stage. Joseph (Y10) from Trinity College made for a convincing Sky to partner with Leila's Sophie and showcased some truly impressive vocals and acting skills in his role. 

Huge thanks must also go to Teresa Andrew (set), Chantal Hillier (make-up) and Kylie Morrison (hair) as well as alumna Victoria Dearden (wardrobe) for their commitment and for giving up their time to help out backstage. There could be no show without these unsung heroes! 

Thanks must also go to our community businesses and individuals who contributed to making Mamma Mia! the success it was. Our students thank you for enabling them to put on this show and make memories they will never forget!

• MTF Finance Dunedin- programmes, Posters, Corflutes and Banners
• Lou's Kitchen and Pantry- Eft Pos machines, Canteen supplies, and lollies bagged by Ruby and friends
• Mitre 10 Mega Dunedin- Set Materials, loan of plants for the set
• Night 'n Day Caversham- Ice creams for the canteen
• The Columbs - Thank-you flowers
• Spontaneous Moments Photography - Rob and Sandy Jefferies programme photos
• Kane Li and Dillon Ryan - Set Building
• Pete Murray - Set Painting and Dog Walking
• W Hamilton Building Ltd - Set Transportation 
• Life Pharmacy- Makeup supplies
• The Xie Family - Donation
• Taieri Musical Society, Fairies and Wizards Costume Hire & Fire Station Theatre Costume Hire - Costumes

Photo credits go to Blake Armstrong, Armstrong Photography.