{"id":38446,"date":"2023-10-22T09:00:06","date_gmt":"2023-10-22T07:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1911242"},"modified":"2023-10-22T15:55:51","modified_gmt":"2023-10-22T13:55:51","slug":"meet-the-mamma-mia-i-have-a-dream-contestants","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/meet-the-mamma-mia-i-have-a-dream-contestants\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream contestants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meet the West End hopefuls! <\/p>

By Katelyn Mensah\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 22 October 2023 at 07:00 AM<\/p>

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Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream will see 14 musical theatre performers give everything they\u2019ve got to be in with the chance of starring in the West End production of Mamma Mia! as leads Sophie and Sky.<\/p>\n

The talent show will see the West End hopefuls perform a variety of songs<\/a>, where they will be judged on their singing, dancing, acting and chemistry skills by a panel of performing stars<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Each week, the group will be whittled down and viewers will eventually find out who will be the West End\u2019s next Sophie and Sky during a live grand finale.<\/p>\n

But who are these budding West End performers? Read on for everything you need to know about the Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream<\/a> contestants.<\/p>

Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream cast<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Sophies<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Desmonda<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Desmonda\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Desmonda for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>27<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Indonesia<\/p>\n

Desmonda noted that Mamma Mia! is \u201cone of the most recognisable movie musicals ever\u201d, and it\u2019s something she \u201creally want to be a part\u201d of.<\/p>\n

She explained: \u201cIt\u2019s such a big part of pop culture known around the world. I grew up watching it and I want to be a part of that universe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Desmonda took a real interest in musical theatre around 11 years ago. When she began university, she co-founded a musical theatre community called Jakarta Performing Arts Community and performed amateur productions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s where it all started,\u201d she said. \u201cSince then, I\u2019ve been lucky enough to have had a couple of jobs after moving to London.\u201d<\/p>\n

Esme<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Esme\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Esme for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>22<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Chester<\/p>\n

Esme admitted she thought she\u2019d never be considered for the part of Sophie, despite always wanting to play the role.<\/p>\n

She explained: \u201cSophie is a character that goes through so much in the show and her character goes on such a journey. She is such a fun bubbly character, yet she has so many struggles that as an actor, would be so interesting to get to explore.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my whole time training I was never typecast as the romantic lead so I never believed I could play any parts like Sophie, but I would love to prove that I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Esme\u2019s musical theatre journey began when she was 12 years old after watching the Les Mise\u0301rables film for the first time, which just so happened to be judge Samantha Barks<\/a>\u2018s film debut.<\/p>\n

Ahead of her appearance on the show, Esme said: \u201cI remember watching a pantomime and I couldn\u2019t believe people get paid to sing and dance and have the most fun on stage. I left school at 16 to go train in musical theatre at a college in Liverpool, and this is where I really found my love for the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Leah\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Leah for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>20<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Redcar<\/p>\n

Leah grew up watching Mamma Mia! and feels it would be \u201ca full circle moment\u201d to play the role of Sophie on the West End.<\/p>\n

Explaining further why she wants to play the role of Sophie, Leah said: \u201cI grew up watching Mamma Mia!, my inner child would be screaming! I would also love to play Sophie because she is very far from me as a person and roles that I would usually go for. It would be a challenge that I am totally up for!\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah noted that her musical theatre journey \u201chas been fun but tough\u201d.<\/p>\n

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She said: \u201cI started out at a local dance school, I was there for a while but it eventually got really expensive, so my mum took me out. However, not long after that we managed to find an affordable Performing Arts Group and I attended every week for a few years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI then went to college to study performing arts and I met some of my best friends and we are now at university together.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Maddy<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Maddy\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Maddy for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>20<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Bolton<\/p>\n

Maddy admires Sophie as a character \u201ca lot\u201d, whether it be her \u201cbubbly and headstrong\u201d personality or her caring \u201ca lot about the people she loves!\u201d.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old has recently graduated from Urdang, admitting she is \u201cvery fresh into the industry\u201d.<\/p>\n

She told ITV: \u201cI started musical theatre quite late; I didn\u2019t do it when I was little, but I\u2019ve always done music. When I wanted to go to college, I thought I might as well give it a go. So it was only when I was 17 that I decided to do musical theatre.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maisie<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Maisie\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Maisie for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>22<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Margate<\/p>\n

Maisie has loved the character of Sophie ever since she first watched Mamma Mia!.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cI loved her bubbly personality and adventurous spirit. She has a close relationship with her mum that I can relate to. It\u2019s the ultimate feel- good role and I can imagine it\u2019s so much fun being up on-stage dong that role every night and I would love to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maisie and her three sisters were all put into musical theatre classes when they were younger and unlike her sisters, Maisie \u201cabsolutely fell in love\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI begged my mum to keep me in the classes and when I started performing in local amateur dramatics, I would try and do every show in the area no matter how big or small. I just wanted to be on stage,\u201d Maisie said of her musical theatre roots.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Stephanie<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Stephanie\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Stephanie for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>22<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>St Albans<\/p>\n

Much like the other contestants, Stephanie has \u201calways wanted to play the role of Sophie\u201d. Stephanie grew up listening to ABBA and the musical itself, and said it would be \u201ca dream come true\u201d to play the role on the West End.<\/p>\n

Stephanie began performing when she was very young, and always used to sing and dance Disney songs with her sister in their living room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI followed in my sister\u2019s footsteps and joined Tring Park School of the Performing Arts in 2012 for seven years, which taught me so much about musical theatre,\u201d Stephanie said of her starting steps in musical theatre.<\/p>\n

She later attended the Guildford School of Acting \u00a0and graduated in 2022, which she \u201choned\u201d her skills and built up her confidence \u201csignificantly\u201d.<\/p>\n

Stevie<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Stevie\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Stevie for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>22<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Glasgow<\/p>\n

Sophie has always been a \u201cdream role\u201d for Stevie.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably one of the first musicals I was introduced to and also it\u2019s a big musical for my family,\u201d she told ITV ahead of her appearance on the show.<\/p>\n

Stevie didn\u2019t start in musical theatre until she was 15 years old after auditioning for the Musical Theatre course at The Dance School of Scotland. She got the theatre bug when she performed in an amateur version of We Will Rock You.<\/p>\n

She explained: \u201cI had never done a musical before and I only went along as my friends thought it would be fun. I was given the lead role of Scaramouche which was a shock and terrifying, but I quickly realised I was going to be addicted to performing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Skys<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Callum<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Callum\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Callum for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>22<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Oxfordshire<\/p>\n

When asked why he wants to play the role of Sky, Callum said: \u201cIt\u2019s an amazing opportunity to get to play Sky alongside a Sophie you\u2019ve met on this TV show \u2013 that makes it special. I had just come out of drama school with no expectation when I did that first audition and now I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Callum went to drama school and trained at Rose Bruford for three years, and Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream was his first ever musical theatre audition.<\/p>\n

Craig<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Craig\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Craig for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>26<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Perthshire<\/p>\n

Craig has friends who have been in Mamma Mia! on the West End and they have always spoken \u201cso highly of the experience\u201d, which is one of the reasons why he wants to play the role of Sky.<\/p>\n

Craig began training after school when he was six years old and continued to do that all through school and high school.<\/p>\n

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He studied at the Guildford School of Acting and graduated in 2018 and went to perform on a cruise ship for a year. His other personal credits include being part of UK and international tours.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Darcy<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Darcy\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Darcy for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>23<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Hampshire<\/p>\n

Darcy likes Sky\u2019s journey as a character in Mamma Mia!, which is one of the key reasons he wants to play the role of Sky.<\/p>\n

Talking about his musical theatre journey, Darcy has always been part of amateur dramatics. He studied at the London College Music for three years and studied musical theatre and has been auditioning ever since.<\/p>\n

Marcellus<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Marcellus\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Marcellus for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>36<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>High Wycombe<\/p>\n

Marcellus wants to play the role of Sky as it\u2019d be a \u201cgreat achievement\u201d as well as wanting to \u201cinspire others to never give up\u201d on their dreams.<\/p>\n

Talking about his musical theatre career, Marcellus said he has had \u201ca strong career so far\u201d.<\/p>\n

He explained: \u201cThe journey has been amazing for me but I\u2019ve never quite reached the peak of where I want to be yet. That for me would be playing a leading role on stage, on screen, both. I\u2019m so grateful for where I am but I feel like this could be a big break for me.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI made a decision in 2016-17 to never work unless it was performing. I said that if I love it that much, if I want it to work then I\u2019m going to go in. I\u2019ve been performing ever since, sometimes on, sometimes off, but I keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Owen<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Owen\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Owen for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>25<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Belfast<\/p>\n

Owen wants to play the role of Sky as he\u2019d like to \u201csteer Sky in a different direction\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI think there\u2019s more depth to Sky so why not play him differently with a different edge and I think I have that capability,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

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Owen began singing lessons when he was 13 and they sang musical theatre songs. A few months after he began singing lessons, his mum took him on a trip to London where they went to see Phantom of the Opera.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI absolutely fell in love and I just knew that was what I wanted to do. A couple of years passed, I kept up with singing lessons, did some classical and musical theatre and school musicals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Tobias<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Tobias\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Tobias for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>22<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Somerset<\/p>\n

Tobias went to the Guildford School of Acting and studied the musical theatre course. A few months after graduating, he worked on a pantomime and then worked for the Strictly Theatre Company on Giovanni Pernice\u2019s tour, where he was a lead male vocalist and dancer.<\/p>\n

Talking about the job, he said: \u201cI learned a lot on that job because I am not a Latin dancer at all\u2026learning that was cool!\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of his other professional credits include West Side Story at the Ljubljana Festival in Slovenia and Heathers in London.<\/p>\n

Zachkiel<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Zachkiel\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Zachkiel for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Thames\/ITV<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>21<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>London<\/p>\n

Zachkiel wants to play the role of Sky as he wants to \u201cbring a new essence, a new flair\u201d to the character.<\/p>\n

He explained: \u201cI want to respect the character \u2013 Mamma Mia! is so famous, everyone has an idea of what Sky and Sophie are like and you can stick to what people know, that\u2019s fine, but you\u2019re also allowed to create and I want to add my own spin to it \u2013 to be the Sky that everybody knows and loves but to add coolness and fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zachkiel started performing musical theatre when he was seven years old as. Saturday school. He then did LAMDA exams, getting a distinction in his first one and was then encouraged by his teacher to pursue acting.<\/p>\n

He then went to the BRIT School for four years and studied musical theatre and in his third year, he was chosen to do a professional job with Drew McOnie, choreographer of In The Heights and got to open the Evening Standard Awards.<\/p>