Last bows have been taken and the curtains have closed on Encore Theatre's stage production of Mamma Mia, a night many were unsure would arrive.
The show experienced several COVID-19 postponements before taking the stage in October for opening night.
Executive producer and Encore Theatre co-founder Belinda King said it was an "enormous relief" to have staged the full season of Mamma Mia.
"As the final notes of the show rang out, it was a mixture of emotions for the team," she said.
"For some, there were floods of tears, and others a great sense of relief to have reached the end of what has been a two-and-a-half-year voyage to get the show in front of local audiences."
Ms King said the audience response to the show had been phenomenal, with about 12,772 people attending.
"Our previous record of 10,099 has been obliterated and this has set not only a new record for our company, but for the Princess Theatre too," she said.
"I think this extraordinary attendance in part can be attributed to ... the pandemic. There was certainly a feel of wanting to take back at least one of our events from the clutches of the virus."
Ms King said it was possible another attendance record could be broken in the future with the right choice of show and team.
Director Danny Gibson said the end of the season was bittersweet, marking the conclusion of something that had been a part of his life for more than two years.
"I can't remember a time [theatre wise] where it was such an amazing feeling, where there was such support, such joy and audiences literally having the time of their lives," he said.
"I am just really humbled by the support the community has given us."
Encore is holding auditions for its March production, Chicago, next week. Rehearsals will commence by the end of the month.
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Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
