Mamma Mia! The Party: you can dance, you can dine... you can be in the scene

The cast of Mamma Mia! The Party at the 02, London. Photo: Grant Walker

Step into Nikos Taverna one evening and you’ll feel the warmth of a Greek sunset, the scent of lavender in the air, the murmur of a lively crowd and the unmistakable beat of an ABBA classic pulsing in the background. But this isn’t an island holiday. It’s Mamma Mia! The Party, the capital’s most exhilarating theatrical dining experience, and a global phenomenon in the making.

Since opening its doors at the O2 in London in 2019, Mamma Mia! The Party has steadily built an unmatched reputation. Six years on, it continues to play to packed houses seven shows a week.

“It’s not a theatre show where you are asked to sit quietly and clap at the end,” says Sophie Arendt, managing director. “This is an experience. From the moment you walk in, you’re transported to a Greek island. You eat, you drink, you watch, you sing, you dance. And by the end, you’ve had the time of your life.”

The idea for the show came from ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, who was captivated by the spirit of Greek tavernas during the filming of Mamma Mia! in Skopelos in 2008. Tourists began flocking to the island, enchanted by its cinematic charm, and Ulvaeus saw that audiences weren’t just drawn to the music but wanted to inhabit the world.
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So he built it. First in Stockholm in 2016, where the show is still running, then in London, where a disused nightclub at the O2 was painstakingly transformed into a vibrant taverna. It took four months to complete the build, using up all the artificial bougainvillea available in Europe. Many of the props, posters, windows and doors were sourced directly from Skopelos and the original film set, lending the space an extraordinary level of authenticity and helping give a sense of complete immersion the moment you set foot in the venue.

Arendt is now leading a huge international roll-out. “We’re not just replicating London,” she explains. “Every version will reflect the local culture. We adapt the script with co-writer Sandi Toksvig, we tailor the humour and we work with partners on the ground. That’s how you build something that feels truly special.” Markets in Germany, Spain, the US, Australia and beyond are already in development, and Arendt hints that at least two or three new openings are expected next year.

The story at the heart of the show is an entirely original one: set inside Nikos’ taverna, it follows his relationship with Kate, his British wife, alongside romantic subplots, comedic moments and, of course, ABBA’s legendary songs. Guests are seated around and within the set itself, with actors performing all around them as the narrative unfolds.

“That’s the magic of it. You arrive as strangers and leave as part of something bigger.” Sophie Arendt, Mamma Mia! The Party managing director

The audience is just as dynamic as the show. TikTok and social media have driven a large resurgence in ABBA fandom, and it is now common to see children, teens and young adults belting out lyrics to Dancing Queen alongside their parents and grandparents. “We’ve had kids as young as five who know every word, not just to the hits, but to the deep cuts, too,” says Arendt. “That’s what makes this a destination for everyone. It works for couples, groups of friends, families, even corporate events.”

A standout element – often to guests’ surprise – is the food. Every ticket includes a four-course meal served in harmony with the performance, developed with a top catering partner. “It’s not fast food in a basket,” Arendt says. “We take it seriously. We value guest feedback and use it to guide our menu changes throughout the year, and the food is consistently praised. It is a huge logistical operation to serve more than 500 people per show in sequence with the action, but it is a vital part of the experience.”

Theatre, music, food, drinks, spectacle and a post-show disco all in one evening: “It’s a premium experience,” says Arendt. “You are getting so much more than a night at the theatre. You’re getting a night in Greece.”

Since its London launch, Mamma Mia! The Party has welcomed more than 600,000 guests from 110 countries. Some come for the first time, others return again and again. The atmosphere is contagious, with guests often forging new friendships at shared tables. Arendt recalls one couple who met at the show, bonded over their love of ABBA and now go on holiday together. “That’s the magic of it,” she says. “You arrive as strangers and leave as part of something bigger."
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Antony Costa in Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2, London. Photo: Grant Walker

Returning guests include not just audiences, but cast members as well. Antony Costa, best known as a member of the pop group Blue, has become a beloved part of the show, playing Nikos with warmth and charisma. “He’s fantastic,” says Arendt. “He’s not Antony on that stage, he’s Nikos. The fact that he keeps coming back between his music tours shows how much he enjoys being part of it.”

Mamma Mia! The Party is produced by Pophouse, the Stockholm-based entertainment company co-founded by Ulvaeus and investor Conni Jonsson. It is a company dedicated to finding thrilling, unique ways to celebrate the music of legendary music artists like Kiss, Avicii, Cyndi Lauper and Swedish House Mafia. “They understand what it means to take a beloved brand and bring it to life in new ways,” Arendt explains. “They’ve been instrumental in helping us scale without compromising what makes the show so special.”

With bookings now open through May 2026, the London production is thriving and proudly standing as the flagship in what’s set to become a global portfolio. “We just want people to leave their worries at the door,” Arendt says. “Come in, let us entertain you and step into a world where, for a few hours, everything feels a little lighter and a lot more fun.”

Visit: mammamiatheparty.co.uk