Writers: Sandi Toksvig, Björn Ulvaeus, Calle Norlén and Roine Söderlundh
Music and Lyrics: Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Everyone’s desperate for some summer sunshine over the winter, so look no further because Mamma Mia! The Party has miraculously changed part of The O2 into a holiday to a Greek Island – minus the sunburn and cramped Ryanair seats. Guests are immediately transported to Nikos Taverna where Chef Debbie lays on a delicious Greek feast alongside the Mamma Mia themed theatrical show.
The first thing that catches your eye is the impeccable set design by Bengt Fröderberg. Ornate tables surround the European courtyard, flowers hang from the balconies and ivy wraps around the terraces. The tropical vibe is there from the moment you enter and really sets the tone for the whole evening.
The show itself has a loosely based narrative about a British girl, Kate (Steph Parry), staying on the island of Skopelos in Greece after the original Mamma Mia movie was filmed, falling in love with restaurant owner Nikos (Fed Zanni), and trying to stop a budding romance between Adam (AJ Bentley) and Konstantina (Julia Imbach) in the hope that Konstantina will find a local boy instead. The plot is very thin and definitely just used as an easy excuse to segue into what appears to be ABBA’s entire back catalogue, but, let’s be honest – you’re not coming to this show wanting a complex narrative; if it had an intensely serious plot, you’d be screaming Gimme Gimme Gimme some tunes!
The whole experience is very immersive with the cast interacting with the audience at various points throughout the show, dancing alongside the tables and encouraging pantomime style boos every time Chef Debbie (Linda John Pierre) goes to reach for a cigarette. Everyone, including the dancing waiters, are extremely multi-talented and do ABBA proud ; Thank You For The Music because it gets absolutely everyone in the makeshift taverna on their feet, singing along at the top of their lungs. Incorporating pyrotechnics and acrobatics is a great way to add some more pizazz into the evening and they fit perfectly with the amazing ABBA medley finale that closes out the show with a bang.
The chefs have to be commended for the scrumptious four course meal; not only is it in keeping with the theme, but every single item is cooked and presented to perfection. Guests begin the evening with a welcome drink as part of their ticket price, alongside typical Greek meze consisting of a variety of breads and dips. The Greek salad starter is a perfect entrée before the show begins, not too heavy to stop you screaming out the lyrics to Waterloo with the cast. Mains are bought out after the first act and are lamb and chicken souvlakis alongside lemon butter potatoes and courgette in a romesco sauce. The portions are huge and definitely feels like the food choices within this experience have been curated properly. Finishing the meal with a traditional orange cake and Greek yoghurt is the flawless light dessert to give you the energy to get on your dancing shoes for the disco that continues on for an hour after the official show ends.
With starting prices at £100pp, it is ultimately an extremely expensive karaoke session with a tasty meal included. However, even though it’s a lot of Money, Money, Money, you should still bust out your best Dancing Queen moves and Take A Chance on this f-ABBA-ulously fun dinner theatre experience.
Runs until 3 April 2022
The Reviews Hub Score
F-ABBA-ulously Fun
