Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Mamma Mia! Here they didn’t go again
Original Greek island location that lost out to Croatia in sequel VIS-ION OF PARADISE
up here the first time as she’s terrified of heights,” revealed my guide Yiannis. “There was no hand rail then either, so it was five hours to get her down.”
Many fans are disappointed to find the real chapel is tiny, as interior shots were actually filmed at Pinewood Studios in the UK. But Yiannis said: “The real fanatics scream with excitement when they see it.
“I had a party of 25 from Argentina and a woman in her 50s was crying: ‘This is the highlight of my life.’”
Demi Alagiozidis, 55, and daughter Tanya, 24, visited the chapel while on holiday from Melbourne, Australia.
“I’m a huge fan of the movie,” said Demi. “But I love the fact that Skopelos is so authentic, like the fictional Kalokairi. I don’t want fridge magnets or ABBA wigs.” She and all the other tourists we met had no idea the sequel was filmed in Croatia.
“It’s a shame for the locals who didn’t get the jobs this time,” said Don, 54, from Scotland. “But I think folk will still want to come here to the first Mamma Mia Island.”
Another stop on the tour was Kastani beach, where Sophie and Sky sang Lay All Your Love On Me, and randy Tanya tried to seduce a toyboy to Does Your Mother Know?
The wooden jetty and bar built for the film were later dismantled, but now the beautiful beach has a thriving snack bar and is packed with tourists.
Back in Skopelos Town, every local you speak to has happy memories of 2007, when Hollywood magic came to their island. A taxi driver tells me he had a beer with Pierce, a restaurant owner shows me an autograph from Meryl and a shopkeeper says she was an extra in the movie.
And they’re genuinely gutted to have been spurned this time round.
At the Skopelos Village Resort, where the stars stayed in 2007, a member of staff sighed: “Everyone is very sad. But, since the financial crash in 2009, taxes are too high and the government would have wanted too much money from the movie-makers.”
He shows me the visitors’ book with messages from Meryl, Pierce, and Colin, who apparently loved the margaritas. And, in the bar, there is a Mamma Mia shrine, with film posters and snaps of the cast “relaxing” after a few too many. At a cafe down the road, a woman asks if I’ve seen the new film, but I’ve just seen all the trailers.
“But surely they must use our island views in this film?” she asks. “Won’t the fans notice? And this Vis place could never be as beautiful.”
Later, a driver – who asks me not to use his name – tells me a little secret.
HOTEL OWNER ON SKOPELOS
VIS became fictional Greek resort Kalokairi. Here is where filming took place but don’t try to find Hotel Bella Donna – most musical numbers were shot at Shepperton Studios, Surrey.
Extra taverns, piers and Greek signs were erected to transform the major fishing port, a 15-minute drive from Vis town. Thanks to locals lending their goats and chickens, this popular restaurant was turned into a local market.
This waterside eatery at Komiza harbour became a Greek taverna for some of the big dance numbers in the film. Accessed by rowing boats, this cave’s natural skylights, white sand and blue pool were a filmmaker’s dream.
A wooden jetty and small road were built as backdrops. Will Meryl jump off it again? And will we see Pierce in Speedos?
Earlier this year, he drove a crew around the island who “secretly” filmed views and locations from the original movie. He swears they were working undercover on behalf of the Here We Go Again producers.
And, despite losing out financially, the locals want to believe it.
Because, When All Is Said And Done, they know that Skopelos is still THE Mamma Mia island.
And, after seeing it myself, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do too.