Why you need to be watching Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream on ITV

Here’s why you need to be tuning in to ITV1 on Sunday nights for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.

The new talent show is following 14 of the nation’s most talented musical theatre hopefuls as they compete to play the lead roles of Sophie and Sky, in the West End production of Mamma Mia!

Each week contestants will perform before facing tense eliminations. Here’s why we can’t get enough…

The opening numbers

Every good musical needs a good opening number and Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream doesn’t disappoint. Each episode begins with an all-singing, all-dancing group performance from the Sophies and Skys.

So far we’ve seen them tackle ABBA classics including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Take A Chance On Me and, most recently, Voulez-Vous.

The location

Unlike the typical studio settings of other TV talent shows like The Voice or Britain’s Got Talent, Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream has whisked us away to the Greek island of Corfu, the setting for the musical.

The filming location of the series is the Villa Donna. Perched atop the northern peaks of the island with white-stone walls and blue shutters, it feels just like the stage show and its movie adaptation.

The sunny setting makes for a perfect escape from the cold winter weekends here back at home.

The performances

Each week we see the Sophies and Skys show off their talents which was led to some amazing performances – and not just of ABBA classics.

Highlights so far have included Leah and Esme’s duet of Fernando and Desmonda’s showstopping performance of A Star Is Born hit.

Plus, Chemistry week saw Stevie and Owen’s moving performance of Shallow and an adorable cover of Love Is An Open Door by Tobias and Desmonda.

The judges

The panel is made up of stage superstars: Samantha Barks – the star of Frozen in the West End and Les Misérables on screen – alongside Dreamgirls icon Amber Riley.

They’re joined by disco diva Jessie Ware and comedian Alan Carr, who raised an eyebrow when he was first announced but as proven a brilliant left-field addition.

The guests

Alongside the regular judges, episodes so far have seen some surprise guests. They’ve included current West End Sophie and Sky, Meg Hateley and Miles Henderson. Plus, an appearance from Amanda Seyfried, who of course starred in the film.

We recently saw the cast surprised by Mazz Murray. Currently playing Donna in the West End, Murray touched down as a Guest Judge and mentor in the week’s masterclass.

There’s also creator and global producer of Mamma Mia!, Judy Craymer, who is on hand to offer her expertise to the judges.

The live final

Still to come from the show is its epic grand live final which will see the top contestants take to the stage in London’s West End.

They’ll perform one last time for the judges before us viewers at home get to decide who will join the cast of Mamma Mia for its landmark 24th anniversary year.

Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream continues on Sunday at 6:30PM on ITV1 and ITVX. Catch up on the full series now via ITVX.