Full cast announced for blockbuster Mamma Mia! tour coming to Manchester in March 2026

Thursday, 18 September 2025 10:45

By David Murphy

A full UK cast has been confirmed for the hit musical Mamma Mia! as it prepares to visit Manchester Palace Theatre in March 2026 as part of a major new UK tour.

Leading the cast is Jenn Griffin as Donna Sheridan, supported by Ashleigh Jones as alternate Donna. Rosie Glossop, Sarah Earnshaw, Luke Jasztal, Richard Meek and Mark Goldthorp are also set to take on the beloved roles of Rosie, Tanya, Sam, Harry and Bill respectively. Lydia Hunt will star as Sophie Sheridan, joined by Joe Grundy as Sky, and a host of newcomers and returning talent in supporting roles.

The new tour kicks off at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre on 24 October 2025 and runs through to August 2026, with confirmed dates in Bristol, Oxford, Edinburgh, Swansea, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leicester, Hull, Llandudno, Blackpool, Birmingham, Truro, Leeds, Norwich, Eastbourne and Bournemouth.

The Manchester leg runs from 3 to 21 March 2026 at the Palace Theatre.

Creator and producer Judy Craymer said: “I’m delighted to announce this 2025 UK tour cast of Mamma Mia! and excited for them to step into these roles. Our much-loved musical tells the story of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads, inspired by ABBA’s irresistible hits.”

Set on a sunny Greek island, Mamma Mia! follows a bride-to-be as she tries to discover the identity of her father – bringing back three men from her mother’s past. The musical features many of ABBA’s greatest hits, including Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All and Super Trouper.

Now in its 26th year, Mamma Mia! has been seen by over 70 million people worldwide, performed in 42 countries and translated into 16 languages. It is one of the West End’s longest-running shows, with more than 10,000 performances to date.

The international tour alone has reached over 7.7 million people and the show recently made its return to Broadway. It also inspired two blockbuster films, with a third rumoured to be in the works.

The 2025–26 production is backed by an experienced creative team including director Phyllida Lloyd, choreographer Anthony Van Laast and musical supervisor Martin Koch. The show is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal Music Group and NGM.