REVIEW: Mamma Mia! the Party at the O2

After a hit musical winning the world over and two hugely successful films, Mamma Mia! has extended its franchise yet again with a completely new and original idea, Mamma Mia! The Party. This has come over from very successful run in Stockholm, where it is in its 4th year. 

This takes place at the O2 in North Greenwich, as you walk around the restaurants make sure you keep your eye out as I almost missed it but as you walk through the doors you’re teleported into somewhere that definitely doesn't feel like the corner of the O2! This is a fully rounded experience; within the ticket you get a welcome drink, a four course meal, a show and a disco to finish it off. However don’t forget, this is still a theatre environment so if you purchase other drinks make sure you read the prices first! 

We’ll start with the environment; although this is sold as being transported to a taverna on Skopelos, the Greek island where the first movie was filmed, it doesn’t necessarily feel like this. Instead it feels like being on a huge set, although this is a beautiful setting and nothing has been left out of the design. Designed by Bengt Fröderberg, the attention to detail is fantastic and every single person who walked in was impressed with the extent of it.

INTERVIEW: AJ Bentley, currently in Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2

AJ won Gary Barlow's BBC’s talent search Let It Shine, with his band Five to Five. From this, he embarked on an 18-month UK tour in The Band Musical, including an eight-week run in London’s West End. AJ Bentley plays Adam in Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2.

Mamma Mia! The Party is set in a taverna on the island of Skopelos, where most exteriors of the first MAMMA MIA! film were shot. Nikos and his wife Kate run this exotic and wonderful restaurant together with their family and friends. Told through dialogue and ABBA songs, a warm, romantic and funny story evolves and unfolds during the evening, taking place around the guests as they sit at their tables enjoying a delicious Greek meal. The evening ends with the main floor transforming into a 1970s disco, where audience members are welcome to stay to sing and dance to original ABBA recordings.

Mamma Mia! The Party is going to be an experience like no other, tell us a bit about the concept for this show.

Mamma Mia! The Party is an immersive theatrical dining experience, set on the magical island of Skopelos - the same island the Mamma Mia! movies are set. You arrive at ‘Nikos Taverna’ and immediately you feel like you’ve been transported to a Greek Island. During your evening you will enjoy a three course Greek meal, a three act show written by the amazing Sandi Toksvig and featuring the music of ABBA, and an ABBA disco at the end. The show happens around you... You’re not just coming to see this show, you are IN this show, and that’s what adds to the magic! 

Tell us a bit about the story that centres around the immersive experience.

The story follows an action packed evening in ‘Nikos Taverna’. Nikos and his wife Kate run the restaurant, with Nikos’ mother (Grandma) overlooking the action from her balcony. Nikos’ daughter Konstantina and Kate’s nephew Adam (who both work in the restaurant) have fallen for each other - much to the dismay of Nikos and Grandma who think Adam is just trouble. As the evening goes on, tensions rise and the story evolves whilst everyone frantically attempts to keep the restaurant running smoothly for the guests.