Two Scottish musical theatre hopefuls are in the running for the leading roles in the new West End production of Mamma Mia! – and are set to have their dreams decided in a new ITV talent programme.
Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream lands on ITV1 and ITVX later this month, with an all-star judging panel seeking to find the perfect performers to play the leading roles of Sophie and Sky.
Among the 14 budding contestants are Stevie, 22, from Glasgow and Craig, 26, from Perthshire.
Filmed in Greece and hosted by Zoe Ball, each week the Sophies and Skys will be put through their paces by the judges; Alan Carr, Jessie Ware, Samantha Barks and Amber Riley.
They will face tests in singing, acting, dancing and chemistry to find the perfect on-stage couple.
ITVEach week contestants will be whittled down, culminating in a live grand-finale in London’s West End where the two winners will take it all.
Stevie, hoping to secure the role of Sophie, said the part has “always been a dream role”.
The 22-year-old started her musical theatre journey at age 15 after securing the role of Scaramouche in her school show of We Will Rock You.
Despite initially not getting into the musical theatre course at The Dance School of Scotland, Stevie was determined to succeed and secured a place the following year.
She studied there for two years before successfully auditioning for Arts Ed in London where she has just graduated from.
Explaining why Mamma Mia! Means so much to her, she said: “It’s probably one of the first musicals I was introduced to and also it’s a big musical for my family. They all know it, they all love it and for me to play Sophie would mean a lot to them as well.”
She added: “When I told my family I was moving to London, no one was surprised. I’ve always been quite ambitious, but this is something I could never have imagined.
ITV“Wee Stevie singing and dancing around the house with her mum and sister would be crying right now.”
Craig described the role of Sky as “iconic” and said his favourite ABBA song is ‘Voulez-Vous’.
He said: “I’m excited about the energy the TV show is going to give to the stage show and want to be a part of that. I have friends who have been in the stage show and they have always spoken so highly of the experience.”
Craig has been training in performance since a young age studied at the Guildford School of Acting after leaving school.
After graduating in 2018, he went on to perform on a cruise ship as well as UK-wide performance tours.
He said: “My goal has always been to sustainably have a career in something that I love doing.”
He added: “I’ve not done a West End gig and this is an amazing opportunity to learn, gain experience and improve. I am proud of the experience I’ve already gained but there is always more to learn and achieve.”
Discussing the show, creator and producer of Mamma Mia!, Judy Craymer said: “Mamma Mia! the musical stage show is celebrating its 25th Anniversary on April 6, 2024 so it felt like the perfect time to commemorate this unique moment with a TV show to find musical theatre stars of the future.
“We really have something to celebrate. The stage show has been seen by over 65 million people in 50 productions in 16 languages in over 450 cities around the world and I’ve produced two much-loved movies.”
She added: “complete with a stunning backdrop of an idyllic Greek location – where the original Mamma Mia! is set – I sensed this was the most perfect TV format that will search out the next generation of musical theatre talent and hopefully inspire the generation after that.”
Describing the show, presenter Zoe Ball said: “It’s fabulous escapism because it’s going to go out when the nights have drawn in and we all wish we were away on holiday.
“Then you’ve got the drama of these fabulous 14 whose dream it is to be on the West End and they are all so gorgeous. I kind of fell in love with all of them really, and I’m hoping the audience will too.”
Judge Jessie Ware said: “The TV show is filmed in Greece, where Mamma Mia!, of course, is set! The show is a total feast for the eyes. It’s gorgeous, it’s uplifting, it’s entertaining, and it’s for the entire family.”
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