Little Lark of London

Ever wish that you could be on the set of Mamma Mia!? You might be surprised to hear this, but The O2 may be the closest you can get without taking a flight to Skopelos. Mamma Mia! The Party brings audience members, or “party-goers,” to the island where the hit ABBA jukebox movie musicals were filmed, only this time there’s even more music and a new storyline. The show, which was developed and premiered at the Tyrol Restaurant, Gröna Lund, Stockholm in 2016 has a story by Björn Ulvaeus, Calle Norlén and Roine Söderlundh that tells the story of the family behind Nikos Taverna with music, of course, by ABBA (music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and some songs with Stig Anderson).

For the London production, the original book by Calle Norlén and Anders Lundin has been adapted into English by comedian Sandi Toksvig. We are brought to Nikos Taverna and introduced to Nikos himself (Antony Costa) and his wife, Kate (Lucinda Lawrence) – the two fell in love when they met during the filming of Mamma Mia! – along with their daughter, Konstantina (Inês Fernandez), who has recently fallen in love. There’s just one problem – Konstantina’s boyfriend, Adam (Henryk Firth), is a known troublemaker, which leads to tension between him and Niko. 

Along with the main characters of Nikos and his family, we meet the chef, Debbie (Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah), who is on the hunt for a cigarette and might have a spark with Fernando (Oscar Balmaseda), who has come to deal with a fire in the kitchen. All of this is being watched over by Grandma (Dawn Spence), who observes from the top level of the venue, sitting with audience members and occasionally chiming in with Greek phrases. As you might expect, all of these different storylines manage to bring in dozens of ABBA songs, with hits like “Take a Chance on Me” and “Waterloo” (the lyrics to the song are printed on the menu, though I doubt there are many in the audience who won’t already know the lyrics) and underrated bangers like “I’m a Marionette” and “Kisses of Fire.”

Special mention must be given to the incredible band, which, at the performance I saw, included John Donovan as Musical Director, Luke Higgins and Flo Blue on guitar, Luke Roberts on drums and percussion and Steve Rushton on bass. Each of the musicians is given a character name (though most are simply their first name) and interacts with the performers and audience members, moving around the set and taking part in costume changes. 

The set, designed by Bengt Fröderberg, is an absolute marvel, giving party-goers plenty to look at before, during and after the experience. The building used to be The O2’s club, Building 6, and Fröderberg uses this to its full advantage, working with several levels of seating to give each party-goer a unique view. Every inch of the building is decorated in the style of a Greek taverna, turning a small patch of London into a Greek paradise. One of my favourite small details was the photos covering the walls of the stairwell, where cast members of the show were photoshopped into set photos from Mamma Mia! and vice versa, which made for some hilarious pictures! Combine the set with lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe and sound design by Gareth Owen and you feel truly immersed in the world of Nikos Taverna on Skopelos. 

As a part of the VIP ticket package, guests are greeted with a glass of champagne and are then shown to their seats on the show floor, where they are provided with half a bottle of house wine and a Party Pack that includes a programme, flip flops and sunglasses. Depending on the number of people in your party, you might be seated with other parties, and as a solo visitor, I found myself with two other groups of people at my table, making conversation over the meal in between songs and dialogue.

The “intervals” of the show are when the courses are brought out, giving the audience time to eat and chat with fellow party-goers before the performers return. If you are a fan of Greek food, you’ve certainly come to the right place, as that is what the Nikos Taverna provides. As someone who hadn’t tried much Greek food before, I was excited to give it a go, and the chefs did not disappoint! The mezze of bread, dips and olives was a lovely way to start and then led to the delicious Greek sharing salad and spanakopita. The main dish of braised lamb stifado and slow-cooked beef was particularly impressive, especially being made for sharing with enough for everyone at the table! There are also vegetarian and vegan options available for those who need it. 

Ultimately, Mamma Mia! The Party is a joyful celebration of music, food and people that provides audience members with hours of entertainment and some delicious Greek food. Though it has a high ticket price, if you are a fan of ABBA and/or Mamma Mia!, you are sure to have an amazing time! It is a magical thing to see so many joyful people in one room and I hope that many more are able to experience it in the future. 

Mamma Mia! The Party is currently running through 15 June 2025 at The O2, London. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.