I didn’t need my passport, but I had a real Summer Night City at The O2 arena, London to see the hottest show of the Summer: Mamma Mia! The Party. You can now travel to the Greek island of Skopelos and get to experience the magic that is the world of Mamma Mia, all without leaving the UK.
Mamma Mia! The Party helps you step away from the everyday hustle and bustle and step into the glorious music of Abba with food and drink of Greece. Set on the tropical island where the iconic film was shot, The Name Of The Game is you get to take a seat in the family-run taverna: Nikos’ where you can enjoy a four-course meal all whilst an immersive show is taking place around you!
We were greeted warmly by everyone at the door and escorted to our stunning table overlooking the taverna, there is burbling fountains, blue chairs and tables with checked tablecloths, ferry timetables tacked to the walls and the attention to detail with all the Little Things is quite charming. We were introduced to our waiter Clay who looked after us for the whole evening, he gave us a welcome drink of Prosecco and Elderflower which was highly refreshing with the heat of Skopelos!
After a drink and a Mezze of bread (mix of focaccia and breadsticks), dips, and olives, the show starts in earnest. Nikos (Fed Zanni) welcomes us to his taverna (which seats over 500) and introduces his partner Kate (Tasha Sheridan), they tell us she did the costumes for Mamma Mia!, fell in love and never left. Nikos has a daughter, Konstantina (Molly Cleere) and Kate has a cheeky nephew, Adam (Jonathon Bentley), who works on the bar. As the show opens the young couple are in love, Nikos is not happy about it, and this situation continues On and On and On for four hours of fun, food and great music, it really is a Tropical Loveland!
Also in the cast on the night I saw the production was: Claudia Bradley – Grandma, Jessica Spalis – Nina, Allie Ho Chee – Bella, Oscar Balmaseda – Fernando, Ellis Dackombe – Swing, Garrett Tennant – Swing Nick Pinchbeck. With MD Luke Higgins and musicians Kathryn Tindall, Steve Rushton and Luke Roberts. A superb job is done by all and the waiting staff join in with some numbers which was a nice touch, and we were well looked after by Clay; he was a Super-Trouper.
Mamma Mia! The Party has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson), and a story by Calle Norlén, Roine Söderlundh and Björn Ulvaeus, with the English book by writer, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig. The London version of this live experience, which originally opened in Stockholm, is co-directed and choreographed by Stacey Haynes and Roine Söderlundh, with set designed by Bengt Fröderberg, lighting designed by Patrick Woodroffe, sound designed by Gareth Owen, costumes designed by Annsofi Nyberg, music supervision by Robin Svensson and casting by David Grindrod for Grindrod Burton Associates.
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If you’re a self-proclaimed foodie and have your doubts about the quality of the food at the Party, then think again, because the four-course meal “made by” Chef Debbie (Dawn Spence) won’t have you shouting SOS! Plus, there’s no need to worry if you have any dietary requirements as they offer vegetarian and vegan options for all meals too. The starter is an iconic Greek salad made of fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese (or a vegan alternative), and onions drizzled with olive oil that leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to party! The main – a confit lamb shoulder and slow-cooked beef served with roasted garlic potatoes, courgettes peperonata, romesco, and aromatic jus. It was really tasty and cooked well, the jus was divine and the courgettes were amazing, I could have eaten more! A sumptuous Greek lemon cake served with confit orange skin and citrus yoghurt is the perfect end to this delicious meal which we washed down Andante Andante with a glass (or two) of Ouzo!
The show really is mesmerising, When All Is Said And Done with a high-end production that never stops surprising you and singers whose voices will amaze you, it is unlike any other show! Performing all the best and biggest hits from the iconic band (and a few I hadn’t heard before!), with dancing, singing, audience interaction, acrobatics, and so much more the show is everything and more that any ABBA fan could wish for and at the end you will definitely be singing along to Waterloo with the after-show party disco!
Book now and Thank You For The Music MAMMA MIA! The Party at The O2 Arena.
