MAKE sure you've got your dancing shoes on because 'Mamma Mia The Party' will have you up on your feet and singing along from start to finish.
With the production having set up shop at The 02 in London earlier this year and continuing until March 2023, it's quickly made a name for itself as one of the UK's must-see shows.
After making the most of the photo opportunity (even though it's located at the end of a line of high-end shops, the flower-covered building makes for a great Instagram backdrop), we are warned to drop our bags and jackets off at the cloakroom because the temperature rises immediately after stepping in the building.
Once inside, Greek music, waterfall trickles, foliage, veranda windows and photos of the original Mama Mia cast help to set the scene as we walk up spiralling stairs towards the main area.
After a quick pit-stop at the merch tavern – fans, light-up garlands, fridge magnets and programmes are among the items on sale – we're clapped by the waiters and waitresses who see us downstairs to our table; with the attention on the audience members, they are given their own main character moment.
"Overall, it's a great night out," – Ben Jolley, Entertainment Gazette
Laid out like the courtyard of an open-air restaurant, we're quickly transported out of rainy London and into a traditional Greek old town.
Fittingly, then, everyone who has bought a ticket is dressed up as if they are sun-seeking holiday-makers and ready for a good time.
Through the sights, sounds and smells, there's so much to look at it in the main part of the building where the show later unfolds – particularly the giant water feature in the centre of the room.
What ensues, after a tasty traditional Greek dinner (introducing a mezze salad starter and beef and lamb main), is a boozed-up interactive singalong of ABBA's biggest tracks that are weaved into a meta-story set in the present day – rather than retelling the narrative of Mamma Mia scene by scene.
Thanks to an extremely witty script, the next few hours are full of funny jokes, unexpected surprises and plenty of audience participation – and the food is just as impressive as the acting, singing and performance skills on show. The inclusion of a full live band – and a proper disco party after the main show – elevates the production, too.
Overall, it's a great night out – and, although the ticket price is eye-watering at first, it's actually very good value for money when you consider how much you'd spend on an individual West End show and then dinner afterwards.
