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Rosie Mulligan (b. approx. 1958[1]) is a main character of the stage-musical Mamma Mia! as well as the 2008 film of the same name and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Background[]

Rosie is one of the three members of girl-band Donna and the Dynamos and is one of Donna Sheridan's best-friends, alongside Tanya Chesham-Leigh. Rosie is a successful 'celebrity chef', authoring widely popular cookbooks including The Whole Woman: The Cookbook. Rosie describes herself as a "lone wolf" and is unmarried.

Personality[]

Commenting on Rosie, Judy Cramer, the creator of Mamma Mia! described Rosie as witty, sardonic, wisecracking and possessing a dry sense of humour. She went on to explain that Rosie loves cooking, is engaged in politics as the most feminist out of the Dynamos, and loves to read classic literature. Cramer also describes Rosie as "huge fun, and slightly in awe of Tanya and Donna". Rosie is also very clumsy, particularly later on, seen in her difficulties in dance numbers.

Rosie is shown to be funny, feisty, independent and very intelligent. She also is shown to be a very loyal friend to Donna and Tanya. Rosie does not like the idea of marriage or being in a long-term relationship, until she meets Bill Anderson.

Physical Appearance[]

Rosie is a small, attractive woman with a heart-shaped face. She wears her hair short and often wears colourful but comfortable clothing.

Appearances[]

Mamma Mia! (2008)[]

Rosie returns to the Greek island of Kalokairi with her friend, Tanya to attend Sophie Sheridan's upcoming wedding. Rosie is shown to be close to Sophie, acting as a surrogate-aunt. At the island, Rosie expresses opposition to finding 'Mr Right', however eventually takes an interest in Bill Anderson once again. At the island Rosie listens to Donna's troubles "Money, Money, Money". She also comforts Donna when she learns of the arrival of Sam Carmichael, Harry Bright and Bill Anderson, "Chiquita". She later performs as part of Donna and the Dynamos for Sophie's hen-do "Super Trouper". Rosie later helps Donna by trying to distract Bill and Sam by taking them fishing. During this time, Rosie gets closer to Bill. Rosie later attends the wedding and during the reception propositions Bill "Take A Chance on Me" and the two begin a relationship.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)[]

Flashbacks

During the 1970s, Rosie met and became friends with Donna during her studies at the University of Oxford. During this time the three women also formed their girl-band, Donna and the Dynamos. At University, it is likely that Rosie studied English Literature.

Rosie and Tanya graduate from New College, Oxford in 1979, with Donna and the three perform "When I Kissed the Teacher". Rosie encourages Donna to travel as she wanted to. Rosie and Tanya go on to follow their friend to the Greek island of Kalokairi, where they support Donna during her relationships with 'the three possible fathers' "Mamma Mia!". At this time, Rosie also meets a young Bill Anderson, who had began courting with Donna. Rosie becomes infatuated with him and somewhat jealous of Donna, yet remains loyal to her friend with support from Tanya and "copious amounts of cake".

Present Day

Five-years after the events of Mamma Mia!, Rosie, alongside Tanya, return to Kalokairi to support and guide Sophie Sheridan. She reveals to them that she is pregnant and is scared of having to manage the hotel and raise a child without her mother, Donna "Dancing Queen".

It is revealed at this time that Rosie and Bill had since split-up, due to Bill's wandering eye and the presence of a 'younger woman' "Angel Eyes". On her arrival, Rosie struggles to hold back tears whenever anybody mentions Donna's name. At the opening party of the Bella Donna, Rosie feels lonely and reflects on that she beliefs that Donna would have loved the party and would be proud of Sophie. Rosie proves her strength and stands up to Bill for his misdeeds yet eventually their shared grief over Donna's death brings the two together once again. Rosie later performs a tribute to her late friend Donna, singing "I've Been Waiting For You" with Sophie and Tanya. Nine months later, at Sophie's son's Baptism, Rosie and Bill are shown to be happy and in-love.

Behind the Scenes[]

In the original London Cast of Mamma Mia! the stage-musical, Rosie is portrayed by British actress, Jenny Galloway. In the 2008 film as well as its sequel, Rosie is portrayed by English actress, Dame Julie Walters. A young Rosie appears in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. portrayed by Welsh actress, Alexa Davies.

  • English actress and comedienne, Dawn French was originally cast in the role of Rosie, however after the character being described as "the fat, funny one" by creators and the Musical Director not being impressed with French's singing, French declined the role.
  • In production of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Dame Julie Walters was allowed a day off filming the number of "Angel Eyes" to attend Buckingham Palace to receive her Damehood for services to Drama.
  • Jenny Galloway - the original stage-musical actress for Rosie - had a cameo in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again portraying a fellow at New College, Oxford in the "When I Kissed the Teacher" number.
  • In Mamma Mia! (2008), the producers required Dame Julie Walters to wear body-padding to give her something of a fuller figure.
  • As an homage to Walter's well-known physical comedic talent, Rosie is often portrayed as a clumsy character particularly in dance numbers.

References[]

  1. Assuming she's roughly the same age as Donna Sheridan.

(Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again)

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