KUALA LUMPUR: Watching a West End musical has always been a dream for fresh graduate Lim Ee Sheu, 24, but as a student it had always too expensive for her.

Lim said that now she had started her first job she would give herself a treat by catching Mamma Mia! when it comes to town in December.

“As a student, I could not afford to watch these big musicals when they came to the region, even when they played in Kuala Lumpur. “So, I contented myself by watching the movie versions. I really enjoyed Mamma Mia! in the cinema and I am excited that it will be my first-ever stage musical. I know it is going to be spectacular,” she said.

Another Mamma Mia! fan, Ng Kim Ngoi, was extremely happy to be able to get two tickets of her choice. She will be watching it with her 15-year-old son Nicholas.

“He is taking his PMR starting on Monday. This will be a good way to unwind after the exam,” she said.

Mamma Mia! is the top-selling West End musical and world’s No. 1 show based on hit ABBA songs that has taken the world by storm since it first premiered in March 1999. The show has since played in more than 25 major cities around the world and an estimated 17,000 people — across all ages and national boundaries — are said to see the show daily.

From its popularity and rave reviews worldwide, it is anticipated that Mamma Mia! will be one of the most successful and memorable musicals to arrive on Malaysian shores when it is staged at Istana Budaya from Dec 17 to Jan 1.

The response to the musical in Malaysia has been overwhelming, with almost 60% of tickets sold within a week.

Some might feel that spending more than a RM100 for a stage show is extravagant but as big ABBA fan Loh Kie-ran, 33, puts it, it is an experience that cannot be valued in monetary sense.

Loh caught the musical in Las Vegas in the United States, when he went for a trade show a few years ago.

“ABBA caught my attention because there was so much good buzz about it and I have always loved ABBA,” Loh said.

Loh added that he thought he would not get another chance to catch the musical, but now that it is coming to Malaysia he would like to take his wife to enjoy the show together.

Mamma Mia! weaves the story of the close bond between a free-spirited mother named Donna and her daughter Sophie, and features lots of comical and heart-warming moments.

For tickets (prices range from RM450 to RM900) to the Charity Night on Dec 17, call 03-7967 1232 / 1238. Tickets for the other shows are priced from RM150 to RM500 each and are available through Axcess at 03-7711 5000, www.axcess.com.my and at all authorised AXCESS ticket outlets. There is no free list.

Take advantage of the 20% early bird discount on tickets bought before Oct 31.

Mamma Mia! is brought to Malay­sia by The Star and SP Setia, with the support of the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

Media partners include ntv7, Utusan Malaysia, Sin Chew Daily, Red FM, 988 and Suria FM. Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel is the official hotel; HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd is the official credit card; and TNT Express Worldwide is the official logistics partner.