Mamma Mia! The Party: Immerse yourself in ABBA with a spectacular night of food, theatre and dancing
In the wake of the overwhelming global success of the Mamma Mia! films – set on the tiny Greek island of Skopelos and featuring the music from Swedish superstars ABBA – comes immersive musical extravaganza Mamma Mia! The Party. A passion project from original band member Bjorn Ulvaeus, scripted by Sandi Toksvig, this spectacular show first opened its doors in Stockholm, Sweden in 2016, before it’s autumnal arrival in building six of London’s O2 Arena.
The show transports guests to the Grecian island of Skopelos, where turquoise wooden doors (all originals from the film set) covered in bougainvillaea lead us into the make-believe three-tiered courtyard of the Nikos Taverna. Fairy lights twinkle under a Mediterranean sky, while a trickling fountain and bountiful foliage give way to rustic blue chairs and tables covered in authentic checkered tablecloths and beautifully painted earthenware.
Guests are greeted with a choice of welcome drinks – from ouzo to Greek lemonade – and then seated to begin their four-course dining experience. This starts with a mezze selection, in which breads and salads are paired up with homemade dips. Next, we are served up a variety of succulent meat and vegetable dishes for the mains. This is followed by a delicious orange cake dessert, before teas and coffees and traditional Baklava round off the festivities.
We meet Nikos ((Fed Zanni), his wife Kate (Steph Parry) and the staff at the restaurant before being introduced us to Nikos’s daughter Konstantine (Julia Imbach) and hearing about her forbidden romantic inclinations towards Kate’s nephew Adam (AJ Bentley). The story then unfolds over three separate acts. Expect dramatic pyrotechnics, stunning acrobatics and a candlelit masquerade scene, all of which are utterly breathtaking. The unabridged catalogue of the Swedish group’s songs fills the taverna, including an enjoyable audience singalong rendition of classic track Waterloo.
The finale brings the party to a close with the lycra-clad cast and glitter-ball canons, and although the tickets for Mamma Mia! the Party are somewhat pricey, it’s a perfect celebratory night out and works well for a group. Cheesy, wholesome fun with lovely Greek food that will have you up on your feet like you’re the original Dancing Queen.
Ezelle Alblas
Photo: Dave Benett
Mamma Mia! The Party is at the O2 Arena from 29th August until 16th February 2020. For further information or to book visit the website here.
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