Mamma Mia! close to showtime

By Emily Donohoe

May 1, 2025

Here Echuca Moama Theatre Company goes again with its production of Mamma Mia! bringing the energy to Echuca Paramount from May 16 to 24. Photos: Tamara Cadd.

The cast and crew of Mamma Mia! are gearing up for the show, set to impress Echuca Paramount audiences in just two weeks.

Echuca Moama Theatre Company’s production is in fine form in the hands of co-directors Lesley Robins and Mark Thomson ahead of opening night on Friday, May 16.

Rehearsals have been taking shape at the EMTC shed since January.

More than one-third of tickets have been sold ahead of the first show, with rehearsals moving along swimmingly in preparation.

“Over 1900 tickets have sold, which is good,” Mr Thomson said.

“I think everyone is getting a bit excited.

“Everyone you speak to is really keen to attend.”

Cast members include Echuca-Moama residents Gen McLindon as Sophie, Matthew McLindon as Sam, Darcy Elliott as Harry, Gerard Oman as Bill, Honni Goulding as Rosie, Ivy Jensen as Tanya, Indra Hubble as Lisa, Anna McLindon as Ali, Xavier McLindon as Pepper and Parker Goulding as Eddie.

Gen McLindon stars as Sophie Sheridan and Alisha Beavis as her mother, Donna Sheridan.

EMTC is not limited to the twin towns, with Kyabram’s Alisha Beavis (Donna), Nurmukah’s Dillon Shelley (Sky) and Mark Presland (Father Alexandrios) also getting top billing.

Among the 40-strong cast are 12 dancing queens, feeling the beat of the tambourine as part of the show’s dance troupe.

Choreography has been masterfully guided by Lisa Styles, while musical director Chris McDonald has been ABBA-solutely crucial for the cast to nail their harmonies.

An impressive 40-person cast is bringing the production to life, guided by co-directors Lesley Robins and Mark Thomson, choreographer Lisa Styles and musical director Chris McDonald.

The hard-working set makers will transform the theatre into the Summer Nights Taverna, transporting audiences from the banks of the mighty Murray to the beaches of Greece.

“We’re in the final stages of painting and set modifications,” Mr Thomson said.

“Every show is different. I’ve co-directed the past three... and all of a sudden, it starts to come together.

“We’ve been rehearsing with costumes and everything, which creates a buzz.”

Echuca Paramount will be unrecognisable when the crew transforms it into the Summer Nights Taverna.

In celebration of EMTC’s 50th anniversary, EMTC wanted to pick a show for the whole family to enjoy.

Mamma Mia! encourages the audience to join in and sing along to the many ABBA classics.

“It will be good for the 50th celebrations,” Mr Thomson said.

“I’ve seen the show in Vegas and London, and people get up and dance in the encore songs.

“It probably won’t take much to get everyone up and dancing.”

Show times are Friday, May 16 at 7.30pm; Saturday, May 17 at 2pm and 7.30pm; Sunday, May 18 at 2pm; Friday, May 23 at 7.30pm; and Saturday, May 24 at 2pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased from the Echuca Paramount by calling 5482 3399 or heading to echucaparamount.com/movie/emtc-presents-mamma-mia