Cast and crew overcame COVID-19 hurdles at the weekend at the first four performances of the feel-good story and its ABBA songs.

Audiences embraced the season, with tickets snapped up at Dubbo Regional Theatre, currently restricted to half its 500-seat capacity.

The box office success resulted in Dubbo Theatre Company on Tuesday adding another show to the run, and in 24 hours, it was also declared a sell-out.

Theatre company director Christine Bray said the response to the season had been amazing.

Despite audience members wearing masks, the cast could tell by their body language and eyes they were enjoying it, she said.

"Everybody's been really excited to go there and their faces are beaming when they leave and and I know in the audience, when the cast looks out, the faces are, they're just so happy and enjoying the music, so we're really thrilled," she said.

"Some of the responses that we've had, that Linda's had through the theatre have been just so glowing, that people have been giving us very high praise.

"But more importantly, it's just that they're absolutely enjoying it.

"You know, it's a bit of an escape from the realities of what's happening around us and for two and a half hours they can sit there and just enjoy the energy and the vibrancy of the whole cast."

The production has been 18-months in the making, postponed three times last year.

The company's members had been anxiously watching the COVID-19 situation in the lead-up to opening night, and wearing masks throughout rehearsals as required, Mrs Bray said.

Theatre manager Linda Christof said there had been an overwhelming response when the possibility of an eighth show was mooted.

It mirrored the enthusiasm seen throughout the season.

"It's been heart-warming not only for DRTCC, but also Dubbo Theatre Company because we are limited in what we can present at the moment, with a lot of touring shows having rescheduled their performances, and so the focus is on local entertainment and MAMMA MIA! certainly hits that mark with fun and entertainment.

"It's a fabulous cast, set design, costumes, it's really of an extremely high standard.

"It's one of those shows you can see more than once, and I think that's what's happening too, with the ticket trend, people who've seen it just want another fix of MAMMA MIA! and ABBA songs."

Ms Christof highlighted the team effort required.

"It's a credit to all involved to be able to present live entertainment during COVID's restrictions," she said.

"There are so many measures that we have to have in place. Not only front of theatre, front of house, but also the cast and crew backstage, and I'm so proud of everybody, because they all took it seriously and wanted to ensure everyone was safe during this season of shows.

"And you can see the result - everyone's had a great time, everyone was safe, and they're keen to see more."

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