LYCRA, platforms, hairbrush microphones, sequins and wine; add to this already glamorous mix to the songs of popular music’s long-serving hit-makers and within minutes of Mamma Mia, the intoxicating mash-up of frisk, frolics and fun gobbles everyone up.

As Sophia, delicately portrayed by the angelic Lucy May Barker, hums her way through I Have A Dream, the audience at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre are spellbound. They have been waiting for this. 

In 17 years, this slick production, that tells the tale of a young woman readying herself to get married without knowing her father, but believing her dad to be one of three perfect men, has never graced a stage in the city. 

60 million audience members worldwide, but never here.

Based upon the songs of Swedish music giants Abba, Mamma Mia is perhaps the most important jukebox musical of recent times. A novel concept when first coined in 1999, the empowering story that resides within the a Greek island hotel run by Donna, delivered excellently by the brilliant Sara Poyzer.

Readying the weathered hotel for the wedding day of her daughter Sophia to fiancee Sky, the single mother is unaware her 20-year-old child has invited three men who could be her father. Cue excitement, hilarity and rousing bouts of Money, Money, Money, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Dancing Queen.

Before this foray into the world of awakening songs that defined a generation, jukebox musicals were considered to some a quick buck-making idea. But since the never-ending buzz that any production of Mamma Mia generates, whether it be through the colourful stage shows or box-office smash version on screen, its importance in reviving these types of musicals cannot be underestimated. Without Mamma Mia, there would be no Jersey Boys, no We Will Rock You, no Viva Forever! – some could debate the importance of the latter.

There is a camaraderie that shines within both the female and male performers that is so infectious, I’d challenge anyone not be moved into grinning Cheshire cats.

Donna is joined by her close friends Rosie, hilariously straight-talking and performed perfectly by Jacqueline Braun, and serial gold-digger Tanya, who is given sassy life by Emma Clifford, and their chemistry is at the heart of this performance as they bring the star’s leading light kicking and screaming to the realisation that her daughter’s father is mere metres away.

The main men are just as well delivered; Richard Standing as Sam Carmichael, Tim Walton as Harry Bright and Christopher Hollis as Bill Austin all examples of how diverse this story really is.

This is a musical that befits the music it takes on. With more hits than a ‘Now That’s What I Call Music’ chart-thumping compilation, who can forget SOS, Knowing Me, Knowing You and Super Trouper, Mamma Mia was always going to be a storming success.

Mamma Mia runs at the Mayflower Theatre until October 8.

Visit mayflower.org.uk.