Mamma Mia! Super trouper Steph’s quick theatre dash saves the show

TWO of the most common mantras of theatreland, “break a leg”, and “the show must go on” took on a more literal meaning than usual for the West End hit musical Mamma Mia! this week.

When the lead actress was forced offstage with a calf injury, the Novello Theatre faced the prospect of having to send the audience home.

Fortunately, Philip Effeney, the stage manager, remembered that an actress who had previously played the part was now an understudy at another venue a few minutes down the road.

So it was that just 20 minutes after the show had “ground to a halt”, Steph Parry stepped into the shoes of the injured Caroline Deverill and ensured the audience got what they came for.

In a further twist, the show Parry had originally been preparing for that night was based entirely on the premise of an understudy’s rise from showgirl to star.

Her appearance as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! on Thursday night was doubly lucky, as Parry had only got back from a holiday that day in order to take up her role as understudy in 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

She said: “I was back to being a standby waiting in the dressing room tucking into some carrots and hummus. My company manager then gave me a call, so I thought I was going to have to go on at the Theatre Royal.

“But he told me that Mamma Mia’s company manager was on the phone asking if I was in the building because they had an emergency. I simply got told: ‘They need you there, can you run over to Mamma Mia! and go now’.”

The reaction from the 1,100-strong audience when Parry, 35, stepped on stage was euphoric, with loud applause greeting her appearance. During the scramble to find a replacement for Deverill they had been told theatre management were doing their best to make sure the award-winning show could continue, but few held out much hope until they managed to get hold of Parry.

“There was huge applause when she came on stage,” said a spokesman for the Novello Theatre. “They were desperate to see the show so you can imagine the reaction.”

Parry last played the part of Donna Sheridan on stage in 2013 – although she did reprise the role on a cruise ship last year – so says she was a bit rusty,

‘They had an emergency. I simply got told: They need you, can you run over to Mamma Mia! and go now’

particularly in the dance scenes.

“Suddenly I had to revert right back, so I was being pulled around stage and guided along by others as we went through the night,” said Parry.

“It was a packed house and they were marvellous. I honestly wish I could have taped the reaction and had it on demand for whenever I’m feeling down. I think it’s a really good moment to celebrate the camaraderie of the West End, that 42nd Street wanted me to go and help out another show and that we could pull all that together for the audience.”

Mr Effeney said the chances of Parry being able to step in had been “one in a billion”, telling the Evening Standard: “Otherwise we would have had to abandon the show and refund everybody’s money.” He added: “It was a completely unique experience… when something like that happens and it works the audience love it.”