Behind: From The Stage To The Screen
Written by Isabelle Davis
The opportunity of playing Donna Sheridan in a stage production of Mamma Mia has given me a whole new appreciation for this classic story based on its film adaptations. While I’ve always loved the films, performing the role on stage has allowed me to truly experience this character in a much more personal and immersive way.
One of the biggest differences I noticed is the betrayal of Donna herself. Meryl Streep‘s interpretation in the 2008 film is incredibly natural and heartfelt, bringing a wonderful sense of warmth, humour and vulnerability to the eccentric mother, however playing Donna on stage has allowed me to develop my own interpretation of her personality. I’ve really enjoyed exploring her independent fiery personality and comedic side while also connecting with the more emotional aspects of her character, especially her relationship with Sam Anderson, Bill Austin and Harry Bright. Seeing how different actors portrayed Donna during my research for this role has really been broadening to me.
The stage production of Mamma Mia presents a totally different atmosphere from the film while the film is beautiful Greek scenery, elaborate locations and cinematic techniques to bring Kalokari to life. Theatre relies on set design, lighting, choreography and imagination to bring this story to its peak. As a performer I find that there is something incredibly exciting about sharing a story with a live audience. Every performance is totally different and immediate reactions such as laughter and applause create an atmosphere that cannot be replicated on a screen.
Musically, both adaptations celebrate ABBA’s iconic songs but there are some differences in their song selections and performing numbers such as ‘The Winner Takes It All’ has given me a deeper appreciation for the emotion behind the music. It is one thing to watch Meryl Streep perform such a powerful song, but it is another totally to stand on stage and communicate the same feelings to a live audience.
I also find ‘Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again’ particularly interesting as it explores Donna’s younger years and provides an even greater understanding to the depth of our character. We see the experiences that shaped her into the woman we met in the original story. Lily James brings a different energy to our character portraying her as adventurous, carefree and full of life.
Ultimately both the stage and film adaptations have their own unique qualities however playing Donna Sheridan has made me realise just how special Live Theatre is. Being able to step into such an iconic character perform these unforgettable songs and share the story with different types of audience has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has allowed me to appreciate Donna not just as a character but as a strong funny and wonderfully imperfect woman who I have loved helping bring to life.