Video: A sneak peek at the Chinese 'Mamma Mia!'
A video clip from a recent rehearsal of Chinese "Mamma Mia!." (Courtesy UAE China)
In any list of the world’s musical cities, Shanghai is unlikely to be anywhere near the top. But with this fast-growing economy ready to embrace its own version of “Mamma Mia!,” there could be a chance for change.
Although “Mamma Mia!” is not the first western musical to hit Shanghai –- the city has hosted a Broadway or West End production in English every summer since 2003 –- this is the first time that a classic Western musical will be staged completely in Mandarin in China.
We got you a video clip of the show’s recent rehearsal, a chance for Abba fans to actually see and hear Chinese musical actors rocking “Money Money Money,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Dancing Queen” in Mandarin for the first time.
The Chinese show
Due to run in Shanghai from July 8 to August 5, the Chinese edition of "Mamma Mia!" is the 14th translation world wide of the smash-hit musical and the third in Asia, following Japanese and Korean.
It is also a copyright cooperation between China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) and the show’s original production company, the London-based Littlestar.
The show is directed by “Mamma Mia!” UK’s director Paul Garrington, while the music is overseen by Martin Lowe.
The main Chinese cast are Shanghai stage actress Tian Shui (as Donna), Shanghai singer Shen Xiaocen (as Tanya), Beijing vocalist Yang Zhuqing (as Rosie) and Taiwanese stage newbie Zhang Fangyu (as Sophie).
The actors taking the three leading male roles have yet to be announced.
Apart from giving more Chinese people a chance to understand the Western musical hit, the Chinese “Mamma Mia!” has an even bigger role: to serve as a key to open the market of original Chinese musicals. This is also the goal for UAE China, a joint venture established with this mission in mind.
“Before any original production emerges, we hope to learn the international work flow and management through importing ‘Mamma Mia!’,” says Zhang Yu, Chairman of CAEG. "We are starting to search for [good original Chinese shows] at the same time."
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According to Beijing Morning Post, “Mamma Mia!” is UAE China’s first step. The possible negotiations of the Chinese “Cats,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “The Lion King” are also under way.
Chinese "Mamma Mia!" will move to Beijing and Guangzhou after August 5 and tour back to Shanghai on December 8, staged again in China's first musical-dedicated theater Shanghai Culture Plaza.
