As West End actress Charlotte Gorton prepares to take on the feisty role of Donna in Mamma Mia this month, she chats to Jo Caruana about Benny and Bjorn, dancing in the aisles and forming part of the ‘holy trinity’.

It’s not often that an accomplished West End actress finds herself on a Maltese stage, but that’s exactly where Charlotte Gorton has ended up – and she’s enjoying every moment of it. “What can I say?” she grins. “I’ve only been here a couple of weeks, but already I love Malta, its people and its theatre.”

Gorton is here for good reason – to take on the larger-than-life role of Donna in FM Theatre’s 20th anniversary production of Mamma Mia, which will be staged at the Mediterranean Conference Centre from April 13 to 15.

Who wouldn’t want to come to a beautiful island in the Mediterranean, in spring, to play one of the most amazingly strong-willed female musical theatre roles there is?

Mamma Mia, of course, tells its story of Greek-island love and family secrets through a joyous all-singing and all-dancing selection of Abba songs, which includes hit numbers like Super Trouper, Lay All Your Love on Me, Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Take a Chance on Me, Thank You for the Music, Money, Money, Money, The Winner Takes It All, Voulez-Vous, SOS and the title track, Mamma Mia.

It’s actually a part she has played before – 18 years ago, at the Prince Edward Theatre in London. She recalls it as one of her best-loved roles ever, among other highlights like taking part in Guys and Dolls with Ewan McGregor at the Piccadilly Theatre, Cha Cha in Grease at the Cambridge Theatre, and Mari in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the Union, for which she received the Craig Dodd Award for Best Actress, as well as a Best Actress nomination from the Offie Awards. 

“I joined the London company of Mamma Mia in 2000 in its third cast, as a swing and cover. Being the swing is one of the hardest roles in theatre; I had to learn all the female ensemble roles and singing tracks, while also covering the parts of Donna and Tanya. Then, all my Christmases came together when I was promoted to ‘alternate’ Donna, which meant I got to share the role, which I loved. I was very proud to be in the show.”

The actress looks back on a variety of special memories from that time, including the thrill of singing all those iconic Abba songs on stage night after night, as well as hearing original material from Benny and Bjorn in rehearsals, and watching audience members singing and dancing in the aisles.

“All that was great. However, there is also one moment that stands out,” she smiles. “I recall looking into the crowd one night to see a woman sobbing while I was singing One of Us – and then realising it was my sister! I really had to concentrate so as not to let the emotion alter my voice.”

Now, Gorton says it feels amazing to be returning to the role. “For starters, I am finally the right age,” she grins. “And I have so much more life experience. I have also had much greater input into how I play the role, whereas, in London, the formula was already written. There’s a lot of joy to be found in new direction, which is why being part of a first cast of a show is so rewarding.”

Charlotte Gorton

With that in mind, Gorton stresses she is really enjoying working with the cast in Malta – the first cast to ever put the show on locally. “Why did I want to come here and do this?” she asks, repeating my question back to me. “It was an offer I couldn’t refuse! Who wouldn’t want to come to a beautiful island in the Mediterranean, in spring, to play one of the most amazingly strong-willed female musical theatre roles there is?”

Of course, she didn’t know what to expect from the Maltese theatre industry but, has found there is a clear demand for the sector, which shows in the professional level of the actors and production teams.

“Edward Mercieca, the producer, has done a fantastic job of casting the show and everyone is perfect in their roles,” she continues. “I am really enjoying working with everyone – especially Pia Zammit and Isabel Warrington, who play my two best friends Rosie and Tanya. They have made me feel incredibly welcome and we gelled almost instantaneously. We share the same naughty sense of humour – so much so that the production team has taken to calling us the holy trinity!”

Now, with just a few seats remaining for the run of the local show, Gorton is certain that audiences will enjoy it.

“If you join us, I can guarantee you will leave smiling. Mamma Mia is infectious, high energy, with brilliant dancing and singing and it’s all home grown (except for a few of us foreigners!).”

Mamma Mia will be staged at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on April 13 at 8pm, April 14 at 3pm and 8pm and April 15 at 3pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are available online or by calling the ticket hotline on 79445030.

www.mcc.com.mt