For British millennials who grew up infatuated with West End musicals, there has rarely been a better run of TV in our lifetimes than the BBC’s programming between 2006 and 2010. Over this period, the broadcaster proved its true public service credentials by making How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do, I’d Do Anything and Over the Rainbow, four reality competition shows that sought unknown stars for Andrew Lloyd Webber productions.
Our dads hated them. Meanwhile, those of us who were given to gestures such as quitting a drama group we had attended for years after being passed over for the titular part in a production of Thoroughly Modern Millie (I maintain that I deserved it) loved them. And last weekend, we emerged victorious: after years of clamour from fans on social media, ITV brought the format back in the shape of its new Sunday night show Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream.
