Mamma Mia! Antrim woman set to go on tour with hit ABBA musical

AN Antrim performer has secured her dream role and is about to embark on a tour of the hit ABBA musical Mamma Mia!

Sarah McFarlane (25) is a past pupil of Antrim Primary School and Antrim Grammar School.

A precocious talent from a young age, she attended McMasters Stage school in Bangor from the age of just four years olf and enjoyed lessons with Antrim local singing teacher, Karen Elliot.

From P4 until P7 she performed at The Grand Opera House in Belfast in their Christmas Pantomime and was always supported by her Principal Mr Lawrence Patterson, who would attend the show every single year!

Sarah says she was also incredibly inspired by her performing arts teachers at Antrim Grammar School, Natalie Gilbert and Joanna Dickey, who helped her through sixth form whilst performing in a professional pantomime with C21 Theatre Company in Ballymena.

She was awarded ‘Best Comedienne’ at the All Ireland Aims Awards for her role as ‘Adelaide’ in Guys and Dolls in 2016 and attended Guildford School of Acting and The Urdang Academy in London, graduating with a 1st Class Honours Degree.

Last year, Sarah travelled the world performing in the global hit show Six The Musical, as their first ever Irish Queen!

Six, by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss is a modern retelling of the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII, presented in the form of a singing competition.

Sarah most recently performed in a new show by writer/comedian, David Baddiel called ‘The Parent Agency’ at The StoryHouse in Chester, an adaptation of his best-selling book.

And Sarah is now setting off around the UK in her dream show, Mamma Mia as first cover for the leading character Sophie Sheridan.

Since premiering 25 years ago, Mamma Mia! has been labelled the ‘ultimate feel-good show’ and has thrilled over 65 million people around the world.

The story focuses on Sophie, a young woman who is about to get married to her fiancé Sky on a Greek island. She invites three ex-lovers of her mother, Donna, to attend the wedding, believing one of them is her father.

As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested, and love prevails. The musical features the songs of ABBA and was written by Catherine Johnson, with music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.

Sarah said: “I feel so incredibly lucky to have achieved my dream and I will be forever grateful to my teachers who moulded me into the person that I am today.

“I am very honoured to have come from Antrim and to have grown up with such incredible friends and family who always supported this little girl with big dreams.

“I want to inspire any young performers in Antrim to chase after their dreams, no matter how big, and always know that your hard work will pay off!”

Speaking about her inspiration, she said: “I have an older sister Alex, who is three years above me.

“She was also involved in theatre and really that’s what got me into it, my parents thought they might as well send both of us to the same classes every week.

“I grew up wanting to be like her and we would always perform our own mini shows for my family, I really looked up to her.”

Speaking about some of her favourite memories and experiences, Sarah said: “When I performed Six on the Norwegian Breakaway I never expected for my family to be able to come and watch me perform because travelling thousands of miles felt like a big ask.

“My parents, my sister and my aunt and uncle all flew across to watch me. It was such an honour to be able to look out into the audience and see their faces, the people who had helped me get to where I was. It was a moment I will never forget.

“I absolutely loved performing at The Storyhouse up in Chester. We got to live there for about three weeks and the town itself is so beautiful. It really felt like the people had welcomed us in and I would love to perform there again.”

She is full of praise for her parents, who made huge sacrifices to support her career.

“They devoted every second they had to my sister and I, running us to every dance class, rehearsal or audition that we might have had.

“When it came to me choosing this as a career path they never once doubted me and they immediately helped make my dream come true. Living in London is not cheap and when I was a student they supported me in every way possible. They are the reason I have made any success in this industry.”

And it isn’t an easy industry - it’s a sport as much as an art.

“People may laugh but what we put our bodies through is very intense and requires a lot of dedication. Imagine running a marathon whilst singing in four inch heels! I make sure my lifestyle consists of frequent gym visits, a balanced diet and active rest.”

And all that hard work has been worth it.

Sarah added: “Truly for the longest time my dream role has been Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia!

“I remember going to watch the touring production at the SSE Arena many years ago and instantly fell in love with her story so it really is a dream come true getting to be in this show.

“I really believe Northern Ireland has always had a natural creative ability. I can remember being a little girl and singing in primary school or at church and it was always celebrated.

“We have such beautiful music and dance that is recognised across the world.

“I do believe there should be more opportunities for homegrown talent and that schools should recognise the arts as a successful career path.

“I have taught at a variety of arts schools in both England and Northern Ireland and I am proud to say that the level of talent we have over here is second to none.

“I am very passionate about continuing to grow the theatre scene here, especially in our younger generation who should be celebrated for their creative minds.”