Natasha Blair gets into the party season at Mamma Mia! The Party at Nikos Taverna in London’s O2 centre
Christmas is coming and now’s the time when we want to go out and enjoy ourselves with friends. If you like me, love the music and words of Mamma Mia, whether you’ve seen the film or musical Mamma Mia! The Party ticks all the boxes. The big draw is a fun night out, and from the moment I arrived, I was immersed in an atmosphere where everyone was enjoying themselves.
Arrival is between 6.30 and 7.30pm when everyone, the room takes 504 people, are ushered in. There’s a queue but it moves quickly and the atmosphere is such, that I certainly started chatting to the people standing next to me. The room is cleverly divided in tiers with lots of twinkling lights and a fountain in the middle. A bar at the back of the room on a raised stage, and part of the production, has a wall behind it which is used for animation purposes.
On arrival, we, a friend and I, were welcomed into the party with a glass of bubbly, Moet et Chandon, which is part of the VIP package. This was the time for people to find their friends and then we were shown where to find our seats. As we sat down, joining a table of eight, the music and singing started. Some of the lady guests were wearing halos of lights and a couple of men had on equally sparkly hats. I found later that I could have bought similar items on the way in.
The evening’s entertainment is set in Nikos Taverna on the Greek Island of Skopelos, the location where most of the exteriors of the first Mamma Mia! film were shot. When we arrived our fellow table companions were already tucking into dips of humous; pureed chickpeas, tzatziki; chopped up cucumber with yoghurt, and olives accompanied by a selection of breads. Service is very slick with some of the waiting staff also part of the entertainment. When booking we were offered a choice of the standard, vegetarian, and Kosher meal. We picked a standard and vegetarian menu. Our starters were what they described as a Greek salad, chunks of tomato, perhaps not as juicy they could have been, chopped cucumber and feta cheese. There was a vegan feta too. The main course of confit lamb shoulder and slow-cooked beef cooked in a red wine jus which I was told was delicious, was served with garlic roast baby potatoes, and Greek style roast vegetables of courgettes and peppers with a romesco, tomato-based sauce. The vegetarian and vegan option consisted of a roasted wedge of cauliflower with a lemon-herb dressing, accompanied with a tomato stuffed lentil ragout. The meal was rounded off with a good size portion of Greek lemon cake served with a slice of confit orange, and citrus yoghurt on the side.
Considering the amount of people being catered for and served at the same time, the food was acceptable without going into raptures. A 125 ml glass of their very easy to drink house wine, Anciens temps, vin de France, red or white set us back an additional £7.00 a glass or £25.00 for a bottle.
MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is a unique and enjoyable experience, bringing ABBA’s hits to life. The story line of the original Mamma Mia has changed and in its place throughout the evening, a romantic and sometimes funny story unfolds. This is told by performers through words and music around the guests sitting at their tables. The evening ends with a 70’s ABBA disco where anyone who wants to joins in.
Tickets are £109 per person which includes a four-course set meal and welcome drink. Vegetarian and Kosher meals need to be booked in advance. Guests are able to upgrade an existing booking by adding the VIP package, which includes a glass of champagne, half a bottle of house wine and a MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY merchandise pack which for me included a sparkly headdress!
MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY at The O2
Peninsula Square
London SE10 0DX
Box Office: 020 3995 6288
Website: https://www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk
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