Mamma Mia! turns the Small Roman Theatre into the epicentre of the sunniest mythical story of love, family and songs we all carry within us on 23 June.
This is not merely the return of a great spectacle after 11 years. It is that special moment when historic Pula becomes a Greek island bathed in light, emotion and the timeless hits of ABBA — songs that have shaped generations, filled dance floors and become part of our collective memory.
In the unique setting of the Small Roman Theatre, this world-famous story takes on a new dimension. Stone, history and a summer evening create a backdrop where the Mediterranean playfulness of the musical naturally meets Pula’s heritage. As songs such as Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Super Trouper and The Winner Takes It All fill the stage, the ancient venue begins to pulse as if it had always been waiting for this very explosion of musical joy.
This is an evening where the boundary between stage and audience almost disappears. From the euphoria of shared rhythm and choruses that are impossible not to sing along to, to the gentler, more intimate moments under the stars with Slipping Through My Fingers, Mamma Mia! is not a show to be watched from a distance. It is an experience to be lived wholeheartedly — through laughter, nostalgia, dance, emotion and that familiar lightness of summer that stays with you long after the final applause.
The story of Sophie, Donna and the search for the truth about family has captivated audiences around the world for decades precisely because, beneath its brightness, it carries something deeply human: the need for belonging, love, understanding and the courage to live life on one’s own terms. In Pula, that story gains an added warmth from a setting that speaks of time, memory and encounters between generations.
A superb cast led by Renata Sabljak, Đani Stipaničev and Mila Elegović brings fresh energy to an ensemble that performs this musical with exceptional skill, charm and passion. Their interpretations, together with the unmistakable music, dynamic staging and infectious atmosphere, create an evening that brings together theatre, concert and a summer celebration of life.
That is why, on 23 June, the Small Roman Theatre becomes more than just a stage for one of the world’s best-loved musicals. It becomes a meeting place of emotion and spectacle, of Pula and the spirit of a Greek island, of past and present, of audience and songs we all know — even when we think we do not.
