Jackie Clarke steps into Meryl Streep's shoes in Mamma Mia!

Jackie Clarke is set to play Donna Sheridan, in the hit stage musical Mamma Mia! Photo / Supplied

New Zealand icon Jackie Clarke will don her flares and sequins to play one of the world's best loved female characters in the stage show Mamma Mia!.

The former New Zealand Idol judge and member of The Lady Killers will play Meryl Streep's character Donna Sheridan in the Auckland production of the hit musical next year.

Clarke looks the part in a sequined clad silver Lycra jumpsuit which she calls her "sparkling sausage suit" but admits she will be watching what she eats at Christmas lunch.

"Donna is a dream role for me," said the 51-year-old who has performed with everyone from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to Dave Dobbyn.

"I love the Abba songs, I love her fierce friendship with her gal pals and I'm sure I'll grow to love the dungarees!"

The musical is set on a Greek island where Donna owns a rundown hotel. Donna's daughter Sophie is getting married and invites her three possible dads and members of her mother's girl group, The Dynamos, for the nuptials. Sophie will be played by 19-year-old Sammie Campbell who has been winning rave reviews for her portrayal of Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act.

Clarke, who is perhaps best known for her many performances at Christmas in the Park, will be straight into rehearsal in the New Year in readiness for the Abba musical to open in Auckland on 24 March.

The Auckland production of Mamma Mia! comes just months before of the release of the sequel to the Hollywood blockbuster that's earned more than $600 million in box office takings and is one of the highest grossing stage musicals of all time.

Tickets to the show at the Bruce Mason Theatre can be bought from Ticketmaster.