IT'S the smash hit musical which has been thrilling audiences all around the world and now the party comes to Southampton for the first time.

Mamma Mia, the feel-good production which became a global sensation, opens at Mayflower Theatre on Tuesday.

Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA.

Young bride Sophie’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget.

The show has been seen by more than 60 million people in 49 productions in 16 different languages. It is one of only five musicals to have run for more than ten years on Broadway and in the West End.

The movie it spawned, starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Julie Walters, is the highest grossing live-action musical film of all time.

Composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, former members of the 70s group, Mamma Mia's score contains the huge hits Take A Chance On Me, Does Your Mother Know, Honey Honey, The Winner Takes It All and Waterloo.

It runs until Saturday October 8.

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk