KUALA LUMPUR: West End musical Mamma Mia! actress Helen Hobson waited five long years before she finally secured one of the leading roles in the global smash hit musical.

"I’ve always wanted to play Donna, ever since the show made its debut in 1999, and I spent five years auditioning for the part.

"And now, I’ve finally got her (part)," a smiling Hobson told reporters during a press conference at the official launch of the musical in Malaysia on Thursday.

Hobson was excited about playing the mother of a young bride-to-be in search of her real father and described performing in Malaysia as an "incredible treat".

"There is plenty of buzz backstage on international tours such as this because playing in a different part of the world always feels like the first night we’re delivering the show," she said.

This is not her first time here though, as she performed in Malaysia once before, in the staging of the musical Chicago last November.

Hobson, three other cast members Hannah Robertson, Lucy Miller, Claire Cassidy and the musical’s London company manager Phillip Effemy arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday for a five-day promotional tour.

The quartet performed snippets from the show in full costume at the launch yesterday to the delight of the guests and media present.

The public will be able to get a taste of the musical at the promotional roadshows at various shopping malls in the Klang Valley.

Fans keen to watch the musical should make their way to the main entrance of Sunway Pyramid at noon where they stand a chance to win free tickets to the musical and take part in fun-filled activities.

Effemy said the audience can expect the musical to have the same vibrant and spirited feel as the Mamma Mia! movie currently being screened in cinemas.

"The only difference is probably the order of the songs and the fact that it is a live theatre experience," he said, adding that the audience had to go for both the movie and stage show to make their own comparisons.

Mamma Mia! will be staged at Istana Budaya here from Dec 17 to Jan 1.

For tickets (prices range from RM450 to RM900) to the Charity Night (Dec 17), call 03-7967 1232 / 1238. Tickets for the other shows are priced from RM150 to RM500 and are available through Axcess hotline: 03-7711 5000, online at www.axcess.com.my and all authorised Axcess ticket outlets. There is no free list.

Mamma Mia! is brought to Malaysia by The Star and SP Setia, with the support of the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry. Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel is the official hotel; HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd is the official credit card; and TNT Express Worldwide is the official logistics partner.

The media partners are ntv7, Utusan Malaysia, Sin Chew Daily, Red FM, 988 and Suria FM.

Take advantage of the 20% early bird discount on tickets bought before Oct 31.