The Cast of Mamma Mia Has Many Songs to Sing

February 18, 2022

Academics

GNS

Last week, Mackenzie Heaney ’22 and Connor Roberts ’22, cast as Donna and Sam, talked a little about their acting careers thus far.

This week our conversation turns to Jack Berry ’22, Rebecca Palm ’23, Mary Dunne ’22, Finlay Walker-Cutt ’23, and Madeleine Kelly ’23 as they share their experiences with acting as well as their experiences with GNS’ past productions.

Mary Dunne shares the role of Donna with Mackenzie Heaney, the mother of the main character Sophie, who goes about preparing for Sophie’s wedding day not knowing what Sophie has in store for her. This is her second production in GNS, but she performed in several previous musicals and productions before she moved to Victoria. She loves Ms. Smook, the drama director, since Ms. Smook is caring, enthusiastic, funny, and works hard to nurture talent.

Rebecca Palm plays Sophie, the bride-to-be, who tries to deduce who her father may be by arranging the secret arrival of three men to her wedding who knew her mother before she was born. This is her eighth production, but she has done a few plays outside of school. Her favorite is Radium Girls, a fun and well-received GNS production. The Mamma Mia production is extra special to her, since she will be taking on a lead role.

Madeleine Kelly has been involved in three GNS productions and also shares the role of Sophie in Mamma Mia. So far, her favourite is Mamma Mia, as she has been a big fan of ABBA’s music for a long time.

Jack Berry has performed in eleven productions at GNS. He is cast as Bill Austin, an Swedish writer and adventurer who is one of the three potential fathers of Sophie. Jack has consistently been a part of all GNS productions since he came to GNS in Grade 7 as he loves the social atmosphere of acting.

Finlay Walker-Cutt is Harry Bright, a British banker who is another of Sophie’s potential fathers. This is his fifth production at GNS but he has also performed in a few plays outside of school.

They wrapped up their conversations with an invite to the Mamma Mia musical! They also wanted to say a big thank you to those who brought the theatre crew donuts to one of their many rehearsals!