An amazing mamma!

We know the music will be delightful - it's Abba's. The story will be both hilarious and touching - some of us have seen the movie based on this hit musical. But before we see it live here, we want to know more about the lead actress in "Mamma Mia!"

Jackie Clune is the 43-year-old British actress who shot to stardom with solo cabaret and comedy performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

"Mamma Mia!", she says, is "a feminist masterpiece disguised as a great night out" and Donna - her character in the play - is "very interesting".

"She's feisty, tough and strong, but also funny, warm and vulnerable."

Clune also played the ballet teacher in "Billy Elliot" in the West End before returning to another tour with "Mamma Mia".

"I loved 'Billy Elliot', but 'Mamma Mia!' is my first love. It's such fun to perform, and the songs are sublime. As a singer it's a real treat to sing those great classic pop songs night after night."

Transcends cultures

She loves touring, too.

"Last Christmas and New Year in Kuala Lumpur there were lots of Muslims in the audience, and I thought maybe they'd be disapproving of the women in the show or the content of the narrative - Donna is a single mum who slept with three men in the same month!

"But at the end they all got up and danced joyously. It was a fantastic coming together of cultures brought about by pop music."

Clune is the author of "Extreme Motherhood: The Triplet Diaries", which recounts how this former lesbian had a daughter with a male partner, then triplets, before marrying him.

"I identify very much with Donna's sadness at Sophie's wedding. All I have to do is think of my kids back home missing me and the tears flow."

>> READ MORE

The complete interview is at Blog.NationMultimedia.com/danceandtheatre.

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>> "Mamma Mia!" runs from August 11 to 30 at the Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre.

>> Showtimes are at 7.30 daily except Monday with 2pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays and August 12.

>> Tickets are Bt1,000 to Bt4,000 at Thaiticketmajor.

>> The dialogue is in English with Thai translation on side screens.

 >> On the Web: www.Mamma-Mia.com.