The Winner Takes It All took the top spot for Mamma Mia’s best musical performance on opening night.

In this number, Emma Muggleton (Donna) confronts her repressed feelings for her former lover, Sam (Mark Hamilton).

The Winner Takes It All was sung beautifully and filled with tangible emotion. It was the pinnacle of a powerful performance.

In a jam-packed Earl Cameron Theatre, the palpable energy in the room may have contributed to some opening night jitters, but they were only evident in the first few minutes. Beautifully performed and produced by the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, this Abba musical is overflowing with funky frolic and fun.

Not only did the cast do an outstanding job in their respective roles, a few “zingers” involving local references led to great outbursts of laughter.

Keiran Hamilton (Sky) and his entourage of supporting men had the audience roaring when they appeared, dressed in flotation devices and flippers, for a night out on the town; I overheard a few members of the audience comment that they wished that scene had lasted longer!

Paige Hallett (Sophie) brought great energy as the bride-to-be, determined to find her real father before the nuptials.

The interaction with the three prospective dads were all highly entertaining. Che Barker (Bill), Mike Hind (Harry) and Sam each brought their own special flavour to the role.

The female band, Donna and the Dynamos, was brilliant. I loved the fun, flirty, full-on character portrayal from Julia Kempe (Tanya) and Elaine Pearce (Rosie).

These ladies brought fantastic energy — well sung and choreographed numbers that made me wish I had girlfriends like them! From their costuming to the disco days dance moves, they were a huge part of the success of this production.

The set design was simple, elegant and incredibly functional; scenes transitioned seamlessly. Kudos to Cleo Pettitt and her team.

A few things are worth a special mention.

The choreography was outstanding, with some very talented dancers executing some amazing moves; costuming was as brilliant as 1970s disco bell-bottomed spandex can get.

And then there was the encore that brought out the three dads, each wearing the same spandex, glitter, bell-bottomed funky bodysuits sported by Donna and the Dynamos … sometimes there are things you wish you could “un-see” but, again, a great source for full-bellied laughter.

You know it is a great performance and the audience has had a great time when at the curtain call everyone is on their feet, singing and dancing along with the ensemble!

Mamma Mia runs until October 12 at the Earl Cameron Theatre. Show times are at 7pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2pm. Tickets, $55, are available from www.ptix.bm/gands