Mamma Mia! I have a dream is a new TV programme, looking for the next Sophie and Sky to perform in London’s West End. Fourteen hopefuls were taken to Corfu for a competition style audition, where they were put through their paces in singing, dancing and acting. All under the blue skies of Corfu.
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Where was it filmed?
Filming is said to have began at Kassiopi.
Mamma Mia! I have a dream was filmed on location in Northern Corfu. This gives the show a cinematic feel and will bring some Greek sunshine into living rooms on those chilly autumn evenings.
According to Hellas Posts, filming began at the port of Kassiopi and near the White House in Kalami. Producers tried to keep the locations a secret at the time, and even the actors had to hand over their cell phones. However, the local Corfu press also mentioned Agios Spyridon beach, Limenas Kouloura, Palia Perithia, Agios Stefanos Sinion, Astrakeris beach, Arilla beach, Afiona, and the port of Imerolia as other planned locations for filming.
Mamma Mia! I have a dream
Mamma Mia will celebrate 25 years in the West End next year.
In April 2024 Mamma Mia! will celebrate 25 years at the Novello Theatre, in London’s West End. I have been lucky enough to see it. I found it to be such an uplifting show with superb singers. Of course, many people “have a dream” to see their names in lights and perform on a West End stage, and this theatre production has given that opportunity to a lot of talented actors/singers over the years.
The aim of the TV contest Mamma Mia! I have a dream is to find the next stars for the theatre production. The concept is similar to the BBC series Any Dream Will Do, which found the next Joseph star, and I’d Do Anything, which did the same for Oliver. The contestants will have to demonstrate their suitability for the roles through workshops and performances.
Most of the eight episodes will have the beautiful island of Corfu as it’s backdrop, culminating in a live grand finale, broadcast from a West End theatre. The TV show will be released on ITV1 and ITVX on 22nd October at 6pm.
Presenter and panel
The show will be presented by British radio and television presenter Zoe Ball. The panel consists of comedian and TV personality Alan Carr, singer songwriter Jessie Ware, Olivier Award winner Amber Riley and Samantha Barks, star of Frozen.
Thousands share the dream
Over 9,000 hopefuls sent in recordings of themselves. They were then whittled down to 500, then 50. But only fourteen were then invited to take part in the contest to be broadcast on TV. This talented group were taken to Corfu for several weeks, to compete for the roles of Sophie and Sky.
How amazing to live your dream of performing on TV surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Corfu. The contestants and judges were in Northern Corfu from 10th May to 15th June 2023. Whether sightseeing, house viewing or dancing along a jetty singing your heart out, this is truly a wonderful time of year to enjoy the great outdoors in Greece. Even though they did get a drop of rain.
Promoting dream holidays to Greece
To showcase the wide choice of Greek holiday destinations there are, the show has partnered with Jet2holidays. Every week while the show is on the air, Jet2holidays will be giving away a holiday to one of the following Greek destinations: Skiathos, Kos, Rhodes, Halkidiki, Corfu, Crete (Chania), Crete (Heraklion) and the Peloponnese. In summer 2024, Jet2holidays will be operating flights from eleven UK locations to fourteen destinations in Greece.
North Corfu
If your dream is to own a stylish sea view villa and eat lunch at waterside tavernas, you should certainly take a look at northern Corfu. The majority of luxury villas in Corfu are located in the rural northeast of the island, where you’ll find coves, fishing villages, beaches and crystal-clear waters. A place where people use boats more than cars, and walk or cycle.
The best time of year to go for long walks is in the spring, when the island is carpeted in colourful wildflowers. A wonderful scenic route is The Corfu Trail. This is a marked path that connects ancient villages and Byzantine monuments and beautiful beaches.
I have a dream, location
Here are some of the stunning locations you might spot in Mamma Mia! I have a dream. You never know, your dream house could be right here waiting to be found. Corfu, has many gorgeous properties for sale, a selection can be seen on Your Overseas Home.
Kalami
Pretty Kalami.
Kalami is a pretty bay with a pebbly beach and calm clear waters. Some tavernas and cafes line the sea front and you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas. The seafront road leads to the famous White House, which stands proud at the end of the bay. This was where the Durrell family lived, most famously Gerald Durrell and his brother Lawrence. The White House was described in his book My Family and other Animals. Could you live in Corfu like the Durrells?
Tour boats stop at Kalami Bay on their travels around the island, and the rocks on either side of the bay are popular with divers. The area has developed as a summer resort in recent years with a few small hotels and villas that boast views of the bay. There are a couple of supermarkets and if you follow the road out of the village you will see more gorgeous villas and arrive at Yaliskari beach.
Kouloura
Kоulοurа is а hоrsеshοе shаpеd соvе 1km south of Каlаmi. It is a small fishing bοаt hаrbоur, with just οnе tаvеrnа аnd а сhurсh right bу thе sеа. All around you can see just pinе trееs аnd а fеw privаtе hοusеs.
Kassiopi
Kassiopi has a good selection of shops, tavernas and bars. For this reason it is popular with younger people, however it is still civilised and chilled. You will see local fishermen bringing in their catch and there are peaceful beaches close by.
The best way to explore the northeast of Corfu is by boat, which can be chartered from Kassiopi. There is also a good dive centre and the opportunity to try waterskiing and paragliding. Or you could go mountain biking.
Old Perithia
The oldest village in Corfu.
Inland Corfu is arguably even more beautiful than the coast. With rolling hills of olive groves and grand houses, you may feel like you are in Tuscany.
The village of Old Perithia (or Palea Perithia) has been labelled by some as a “ghost village” as it has less than ten inhabitants. This is due mainly to residents going to work in tourism at the coastal resorts. However, perched on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator, at an altitude of 650 metres, Old Perithia is a lovely place to visit and is only 8km from Kassiopi.
Built in the 14th century, while the island was under Byzantine rule, the village has heritage status. Although sadly, its venetian style houses, are left abandoned and going to ruin. However, the views are amazing and there are some good tavernas in the main square.
Agios Stefanos Sinion
With a resident population of less than a hundred, Agios Stefanos Sinion is a traditional fishing village with a picturesque harbour. On the left side of the bay there is a small pebble beach equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds. On the beach and around the port there are tavernas with traditional Greek food and fresh fish, as well as bars, mini markets, and tourist shops.
Located between the beach of Kerasia and the village of Kassiopi, Agios Stephanos Sinion is surrounded by olive groves and rolling hills. A lovely place for families and couples who want peace and relaxation.
The wider area has become a luxury resort, with the English media giving it the nickname “Kensington-on-Sea” (After the famous Kensington area of London, popular with rich tourists). Wealthy investors have built private villas here on the slopes overlooking the sea. Although designed to blend in with the local traditional style, these houses have all the modern facilities to meet the high standards expected today.
Imerolia
Imerolia is a settlement with a small harbour in the Kerkyra area of Corfu. There are only about 67 people living there. It has a quiet sand and pebble beach, which is very sheltered from the wind.
Astrakeri beach
Astrakeri is a large beach of coarse sand, along with some pebbles scattered around the shore. It’s clear, shallow waters, make it great for families. Part of Astrakeri Beach is organized, offering a handful of sunbeds and sun umbrellas. There are a couple of fish tavernas a minute away from the shore. In addition, the beach has a volleyball court and a small jetty.
Arillas beach
Arillas beach.
Between the areas of Agios Stefanos Avlioton and Agios Georgios Pagon is the coastal settlement of Arillas. Famous for it’s wonderful beach, Arillas is the perfect destination for those who love peace and seclusion. The Blue Flag beach is loved for its natural beauty, crystal clear shallow waters, amazing sunsets, and fine golden sand. There are holiday apartments and hotels nearby, and a small selection of supermarkets and tourist shops.
Afionas
Afionas is located on top of a cliff, on the north-west coast. The village has wonderful views of the small islands of Mathraki and Othonoi. It is an old village with narrow streets and typical houses with lots of flowers. Some have been renovated and painted in bright colours. There are a few cafes and tavernas. If you walk to the end of the peninsula, you will be rewarded with an incredible view of a stretch of land with a beach in a bay on each side. These are the beaches of Porto Timon.
The Film
Following the success of the film version of Mamma Mia! which made £460 million, many fans wanted to visit the Greek island of Kolokairi. However, while the story is set in Greece, Kolokairi doesn’t actually exist. The scenes that required a Greek backdrop were done in three different locations, on the islands of Skopelos and Skiathos in the Sporades, and the village of Damouhari, on the peninsula of Pelion. ‘Villa Donna’ was actually just a set built at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. However, fans who dream of a third film just might get what they wish for, it is certainly being talked about.
The Mamma Mia! effect
The “Mamma Mia effect” lead people to the island of Skopelos.
In 2008, the “Mamma Mia effect” was a phrase coined to describe the way the original movie triggered a sudden demand for accommodation on the island of Skopelos. It sent prices in local bars and restaurants soaring. I witnessed the same effect when Greece hosted the Olympic games. Anyone with accommodation within easy travel distance of the stadiums, put up their prices.
Films can trigger the Greek Dream
The White House, a famous filming location.
Have you ever watched a film or TV programme and said, that place looks wonderful, I must go there. TV and cinema is able to reach millions of people and if your town is featured, it is a superb free advertising opportunity. Potentially it could also raise the value of property in the area.
Corfu is a very attractive location to film and has featured in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023), The Durrells (2016-2019) and James Bond: Four Your Eyes Only (1981) , which showed Kalami Bay and the White House. In 2023, Corfu was also chosen as the backdrop for the upcoming film The Return, featuring acclaimed actors Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche.
Nothing beats actually being in Greece, and with great autumn flight prices, now is the time to get out to Greece and turn your dream of owning a property into reality. It is free to have a chat with one of our Property Consultants. They’ll be able to introduce you to our trusted overseas partners who can provide expert guidance and advice for a safe and secure overseas property purchase. You can request a free call back from a Property Consultant today.
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