What time period does mamma mia take place in?

Question

I don't understand.. okay.. the story says that donna and her lovers hooked up in the "flower power" this suggests the 60's early 70's at the latest. Sophie says she's 20.. if it's set in the present, then she would be mid-30's. The original musical premiered in 99' so that still wouldn't work. Anyone have a solution for this plot hole?

Answer 1

I was thinking the same thing. I believe it takes place in the mid-90's. As you said the "flower power" era was the late-60's through the early 70's, so assuming they all got together at the very end (1973-ish) that would mean Sophie was born around 1974. She is 20 now, making present day in the musical as late as 1995. That's only a 4 year gap from the time the musical originally premiered. Plus remember that it was probably written a few years before it premiered.

Also certain elements of the musical suggest that the "good old days" were in the early 70's, such as the spandex outfits and power pop music. In addition, most of the ABBA songs used in the musical were written between 1972 and 1982, so again that puts present day in the mid-90's.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

Does it really matter?

No

It doesn't.