Mamma Mia Malaga - Cultural Differences at the Theatre

I have been looking forward to going to Mamma Mia for months. There were quite a few of us that were going as all our kids ABSOLUTELY LOVE Mamma Mia, know all the words and dance moves.

So it was finally Saturday 31st October - Mamma Mia at Teatro Cervantes. Getting ready at home we had the music loud, dancing and messing around to get into the mood.

We all went up to Malaga and ate in Canela Restaurant just outside the Theatre. As we had seats that werent the best - it was in a first come first serve area so we thought we had to get in early.

We went in as soon as possible. My husband decided to walk around Malaga with his dad and gave his ticket to his mum.

It was pretty hot in there and 6 adults along with 6 kids are climbing up and up these stairs. Just as we think we got to our seats and thought great - we got told "you are not here- you are up there.

So off we go up and up. We finally get close to where we are suppose to be, and my mother in law starts having a panic attack. We (me and husband) just didnt think about the height thing as she Hates heights. It was pretty steep. But im in boots that are killing me, sweating like a pig carrying a heavy bag, a ruck sack and climbed god knows how many steps - Im knackered. My mother in law is having a panic attack saying "I cant stand this, I dont like heights", then on top of that my daughter starts crying and screaming as she suddenly gets a fear of heights just like her grandmother and we have about 2 minutes before the show starts.

Another mum took care of my daughter whilst I took care of my MIL. She decided she wanted to leave but then I couldnt get hold of my husband on mobile who was walking around Malaga. I couldnt leave my MIL on her own. A member of staff did come up to me as ask whats wrong and did try to help. By MIL wanted to leave and get out (I can understand having suffered panic attacks a few years ago myself).

We walk all the way down the stairs which was a very long way to get to the bottom to be told "you cannot exit here" "you have to go back up" I said - look my MIL is ill she cannot walk back up. Finally they let us out. Eventually got through to Husband to had to walk all the way back to be with her.

I ran all the way back up the stairs to finally get to my daughter who I was really worried about but by this time she was absolutely fine.

So finally all sorted and on with the Show!

We knew that it was going to be in Spanish but didnt think every single song.

It didnt start off too good. We got told to shhh, told not to clap, kids got told off...basically NO FUN!!!

Now, when I hear Dancing Queen or Mamma Mia, I dont know about you, but I find it pretty impossible not to move. The people here were like statues. They didnt move a millimetre. In London we hear Mamma Mia is fun, everyones singing and clapping. Here - NO!!!

If you go to see Mamma Mia in Spain - Do not expect to clap along to songs, Do not expect to stand up and dance. Do not expect to Sing. Dont expect to have fun.

Why they translated every single song - I have no idea! Nearly every Spanish Person I know whether they speak English or not know the words to these songs. It just doesnt have the same feeling.

The people werent nice people there and actually ruined my evening. Finally towards the end some Spanish people did something wrong and had their bloody mobiles ringing. Come on - put it on silent or turn them off.

Even at the very end, the grand finale - we didnt care and we stood up, clapped danced and made the last 1o minutes as much fun as possible for our kids. Even then, people sitting down in front were still sat completely still or if the stood up - they were completely still.

It was a strange evening. Like they couldnt let themselves go and enjoy themselves. It wasnt an Opera. It was a show with music, where casts love to see the audience enjoying themselves.

We also found that we just didnt find the same things funny. Everyone else laughed at the most pathetic things which just didnt do anything for us or the kids.

The show itself was very good, the actors, singing, dancing superb. Atmosphere though - none.

Shame - I was really looking forward to seeing Saturday Night Fever but wont be booking for that.

Oh and if you only have a choice of the Paraiso Seats - if you have a thing with heights - dont book it. Its really really high - even I felt a little queezy at times.


So Saturday Night in Malaga - The Spanish Tell us of for making noise whilst Sunday Night is completely the opposite.....Sunday Night This is It Puerto Banus