Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2

Wouldn’t it be great to escape to the Greek island of Skopelos to dance, dine and have the time of your life? That’s just what the City Adventurers did when they joined a group of AGTO members for a visit to Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2. Whether you’re an ABBA fan or not, Mamma Mia! The Party is like taking a five-hour vacation.

Mamma Mia! The Party

This is not a rehash of the film, but a stand-alone story written by Sandi Toksvig and Björn Ulvaeus which features a host of ABBA songs.

The plot revolves around people travelling to Skopelos and falling in love. Years ago, Kate arrived on the island to appear in the Mamma Mia Movie. There she fell in love with a Taverna owner called Nikos, and never left. Together they now run Nikos’ Taverna.

Kate’s nephew is visiting Skopelos, and, like his aunt before him, he has fallen in love. In love with the island and with an islander. Niko’s daughter, in fact!

Can he win her father’s approval?

Nikos’ Taverna

Somewhere in South London (the O2 actually) it is always a warm Greek Island holiday. The set is so authentic that when I posted photos of our trip online people asked where I had gone on holiday!

While the O2 may not involve a flight, it does involve a bit of a trek. The O2 is huge and finding the exact location of the show can take longer than expected. If there are other big events at the O2, you may have to queue and/or spend longer getting through security such as bag checks. The night we went it was not crowded so this wasn’t a problem. However, the famous blue doors to the taverna entrance are at the far side of the O2 so it can take over fifteen minutes to walk around the venue to get to them.

Once you find the place, you will probably find the queue of excited people waiting to get in. There is a different queue for priory ticket holders to standard holders as they get let in first and have additional perks.

Entering the taverna really does have that WOW factor. You start at the top terrace, where you collect your welcome drink and take in the view. Then you are shown to your table.

Tables can seat between 2 and 8 people, so some couples may be sharing with others and larger groups may be split across a couple of tales. The venue can seat 500 guests, but being on multi-levels, does not feel crowded. The tables in the ground-floor courtyard are the priciest seats, but are closest to the action. It should be noted that, as the show takes place all around you, no seat has a complete view of the whole experience.

The Mediterranean Meal

The food was great, especially for a dinner show, where the emphasis is usually on the show, not the meal.

The meal is served on sharing platters. It starts with a sharing mezze of breads, dips and olives and Greek salad with spanakopita. Next, they serve braised lamb stifado and slow-cooked beef, with garlic-roasted baby potatoes and roasted vegetables. Vegetarian options are available.

This is followed by a dessert trio poikilia glyko, including orange ravani cake, Greek yoghurt with cherry compote, lemon ouzo curd and cream filled kokakia, and baklava (nut-free apricot filo parcel). Followed by a choice of tea & coffee.

The drinks list is extensive and you can pre-book drinks packages. Table service is on hand to take orders and deliver drinks.

The Show

The show is amazing and the cast are wonderful. When we went Anthony Costa was playing Niko, but the show works on an ensemble basis.

While most people got up and danced by their tables at some point, nobody was made to join in. Dance if the music takes you but don’t feel you have to.

Between courses there are two intervals to allow for comfort breaks and drinks refills.

Once the main show finishes, the set is altered to turn the taverna into a disco. Although you won’t want to leave once the disco starts, remember to check the time of your last train home.

Book your tickets for this experience at https://mammamiatheparty.co.uk/tickets/

Here is the lowdown on the world’s most famous dinner party!

The Vibe: Welcome to Skopelos (via London)

Forget everything you know about traditional theater. There are no velvet seats or “no talking” rules here.

The Transformation: Björn Ulvaeus (yes, that Björn from ABBA) has meticulously recreated a Greek island taverna inside the O2. We’re talking stone-patterned floors, authentic signage, and lighting that mimics a Mediterranean sunset. it is so realistic that when I posted some photos online, people started asking where I had gone on holiday.
The Experience: When you arrive, there are no paper tickets—your name is on the door, just like a real taverna. You’re greeted with a welcome drink and whisked away to your table at Nikos’ Taverna.
The Story: While you eat, a romantic, hilarious love story unfolds around you. This isn’t the movie script; it’s a brand-new story adapted for the UK by the legendary (and hilarious) Sandi Toksvig.

The Menu: Dinner, Drama, and Dancing

You aren’t just watching the show; you’re living it. Here is how the night breaks down:

The Feast: You’ll tuck into a delicious four-course Greek meal.
The Music: The cast performs over 35 ABBA hits, including the heavy hitters like Waterloo, Dancing Queen, and Mamma Mia.
The After-Party: Once the drama wraps up (around 10:15 PM), the tables are cleared, the glitter comes out, and the taverna transforms into a full-blown ABBA disco.

Pro-Tips for Your Visit

Since this is a marathon of fun (over 5 hours!), here are a few things to keep in mind:

Timing is Everything: Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the fun kicks off at 7:00 PM. Plan to be there for the long haul. Although you won’t want to leave once the disco starts, remember to check the time of your last train home.
Check the O2 Calendar: Because the taverna is located at the O2, check if there’s a massive concert happening in the main arena on the same night. Large crowds can make getting in and out of the venue a bit more of a squeeze. Allow extra time to get through seurity such as bag checks.
Dress the Part: People do not dress in full 70’s gear like they do for ABBA Voyage. You are not coming to an ABBA Tribute night. Instead you are coming to an island where they filmed Mamma Mia for a party. So dress up in party clothes and get ready to become a Dancing Queen (or King) at the end of the night

City Adventurers

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