Mamma Mia Montecasino Season Opens 16 October in Johannesburg, South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA · THEATRE

The Mamma Mia Montecasino season brings the ABBA musical back to Johannesburg, led by Amra-Faye Wright as Donna.

Mamma Mia, the musical built on ABBA’s songs, returns to Johannesburg, South Africa, in October. The Mamma Mia Montecasino run opens at The Teatro in Fourways on Friday 16 October 2026.

Showtime Management produces the show, which opened in Cape Town in September. Tickets cost R250–580 (US$15–35) and are sold only through Ticketmaster.

Mamma Mia Montecasino: Dates, Tickets and Show Times

The Teatro is the theatre inside the Montecasino complex on Montecasino Boulevard, Fourways. Montecasino is run by Tsogo Sun, the hotel and casino group.

Montecasino’s event listing gives ticket prices of R250–580 (US$15–35). Ticketmaster is the exclusive authorised seller, and Showtime says tickets bought from other resellers will not be honoured.

Montecasino lists Thursday and Friday performances at 19:30 and Sunday performances at 18:00. Check the Ticketmaster calendar for other days and any matinees before booking.

The show runs about 2 hours 30 minutes, including a 15-minute interval. Showtime rates it PG and recommends it for children aged 12 and up.

Tsogo Rewards cardholders get 10–20% off those Thursday, Friday and Sunday shows, up to six tickets per transaction. Groups of 20 or more get 5% off the top two price levels on the same shows.

The Cast and Creative Team

Amra-Faye Wright plays Donna Sheridan, the hotel owner at the heart of the story. Showtime calls her a South African theatre and Broadway star.

Artscape’s cast announcement says she is best known as the longest-running Velma Kelly in Chicago on Broadway. She lives in New York and spends part of each year in McGregor, Western Cape.

Samantha Peo plays Tanya, reuniting with Wright after they starred together in Chicago in South Africa in 2005. They also appeared in its 2008 and 2018 revivals.

Leah Mari, who starred as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman: The Musical, is Sophie. Lindy Abromowitz plays Rosie, the third member of Donna’s old band.

Paul du Toit plays Sam, Matt Newman plays Harry and Tiaan Rautenbach plays Bill, the three men who might be Sophie’s father. Newman and Rautenbach return to their roles.

Janice Honeyman directs, with choreography by Duane Alexander, according to Artscape’s cast announcement. Daniel Geddes is the music director.

“ABBA’s music is timeless and the story is fun and upbeat,” said Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management. She promised audiences “a great feel-good show”.

What the Show Is About

Sophie, about to marry on a Greek island, secretly invites the three men who might be her father. Her mother, Donna, knows nothing of the invitations.

The story is told through ABBA songs such as Dancing Queen, Super Trouper and Take a Chance on Me. The songs are by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA.

The book is by the British playwright Catherine Johnson. Her story follows Sophie on the eve of her wedding, when three men from Donna’s past return to the island.

The musical opened in London’s West End in 1999 and on Broadway in 2001. A 2008 film version with Meryl Streep brought the songs to a new generation.

Both Showtime and Montecasino describe an earlier South African season as a sell-out. The two sources give different years for it.

What It Means If You Live in Johannesburg

Montecasino sits in Fourways, in the north of Johannesburg, and has on-site parking and restaurants. Many theatregoers eat there before the show.

Weekday evening traffic in the northern suburbs can be heavy, so allow extra time for a 19:30 start. Ride-hailing apps are a common way home after a late show.

Buy only through Ticketmaster. Showtime says tickets bought from any other seller are not valid and will not be honoured.

Children under 3 are not admitted, so check the age advice before booking a family outing. The 12-plus guidance is a recommendation, not a ban.

Cape Town saw the production first, at the Artscape Opera House from 3 September. Showtime also promotes Jill Scott’s South African dates in November.

What Comes Next

The Johannesburg season opens on 16 October 2026, and performance dates are on sale through Ticketmaster. Showtime had not announced any sold-out performance by 24 September 2026.

Showtime lists only Cape Town and Johannesburg for this production. No other South African city had been announced.

More on the country: South Africa Explained 2026.

Sources: Tsogo Sun, Montecasino event page; Showtime Management, production page; Artscape, cast announcement, 22 April 2026. Exchange rate: mid-market rate of 24 September 2026 (open.er-api.com), R16.36 per US dollar.

More: South Africa news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Mamma Mia open at Montecasino?

It opens on Friday 16 October 2026 at The Teatro, Montecasino, in Fourways, Johannesburg. Montecasino lists regular Thursday and Friday evening shows at 19:30 and Sunday shows at 18:00.

How much are Mamma Mia tickets in Johannesburg?

Montecasino lists tickets at R250–580 (US$15–35). Ticketmaster is the only authorised seller, and tickets bought elsewhere will not be honoured.

Is Mamma Mia suitable for children?

Showtime rates the show PG and recommends it for children aged 12 and older. Children under 3 are not admitted.

Who is in the Johannesburg cast?

Amra-Faye Wright plays Donna, Samantha Peo plays Tanya and Leah Mari plays Sophie. Paul du Toit, Matt Newman and Tiaan Rautenbach play the three possible fathers.

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