An Inside Look: Mamma Mia! The Party
Last week, Theatre Trip got the chance to go see Mamma Mia! The Party, and I’ve been so excited to tell you all about the experience! I went into the show with very high expectations since it’s been on my bucket list for a while. And somehow, those expectations were more than exceeded!
Location: London
Our Experience at Mamma Mia! The Party
Mamma Mia! The Party is located in a giant tented live music venue/outlet mall called The O2. And a little fun fact about our personal experience – Queen was actually on tour there at The O2 the same night as our show!
Once we reached the location, we waited in line and got our first little glimpse as to what the night might be like. The vibes were great from everyone in line and it was so fun to look around at the various outfits/costumes that people chose to wear to the show.
By the way, for hints on what to wear, see the FAQ at the end of the post!
Everyone was visibly excited and taking lots of photos from the start. Before entering, we were told that it’s always a sunny 25 degrees inside and that it is recommended to check our coats (which is included in the price)! After checking our coats, we were shown to our table and got our first glimpse of where we would be spending the evening!
On our table was already the “Mezze” – a trio of dips and olives with a basket of some really tasty breads. Greek music was playing in the background and there was a beautifully romantic ambiance with the chirping of crickets. We arrived at 6:30 sharp, which gave us a good hour to enjoy each other’s company while snacking on the breads and later appetizer, which was a lovely fresh Greek salad. It felt like we were on vacation!
The show started at 7:30 on the dot and I was immediately surprised by the talent! I was expecting good, but I wasn’t expecting West End level good! By the way, as the songs unfolded, there were moments that the show felt like a really fun singalong, so if you have the chance to brush up on some of your ABBA lyrics before going, it could really improve your experience.
One of my favorite parts of the show was how you could tell that the staff and performers were all having so much fun. They do this show night after night, but it felt fresh and as if it were everyone’s opening performance.
I also loved the number of tiny surprises throughout the night. I won’t be sharing these with you, as I think it enhances the experience to not know everything. But I can say that we never felt bored. There was always something to do, enjoy, watch, sing, or smile at!
During the second half of the show, the sun goes down and the room is filled with beautiful twinkly lights. You can even buy your own light-up flower crowns to wear if you want to personally be a part of the room’s ambiance!
It was around this point that we were served a beautiful dinner. We chose the vegetarian option, which was overflowing with deliciously fresh vegetables. And the dessert was a sweet and tangy lemon cake with citrus yogurt.
In case you’re wondering what songs to expect to hear in the show – you can definitely expect all of your favorites! And I can say that you’ll hear “Mamma Mia!”, “Dancing Queen”, “SOS”, “Take a Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All” (which was so beautifully sung that it gave me chills and made the lady at the table next to me tear up)!
To sum things up, this is 100% worth going to, and if you are a Mamma Mia! fan, it’s an absolute must. The show is playing in London and in Gothenburg. So if you can find a way to get to one of those locations, make sure to book your tickets!
Mamma Mia! The Party FAQ
There is a more in depth FAQ on the official website➝, but here are a few last questions I couldn’t find answers to before attending the show.
What should I wear to Mamma Mia! The Party?
The dress code is definitely not fancy, but it’s definitely not casual either. Almost everyone was a little bit dressed up to some extent. Lots of flowy fabrics and bright colors. Tons of floral patterns, and fun jewelry. Lots of people wore a bit of a 70s aesthetic as well. My advice – put on your happiest clothing – something you would wear on vacation!
Is there audience participation?
Only a very light amount. If you are avoiding the show out of a fear of being dragged on stage, you should book your tickets! The performers are very cautious with audience participation and it was clear that everyone had a great time!
Do I need to be a fan of Mamma Mia! to enjoy the show?
Honestly, no. However, there was a point where they asked the audience to raise their hand if they haven’t seen either of the Mamma Mia! movies, and a whopping two people did so. My advice would be to watch the movie before going. You’ll feel less out of place in a room full of super fans!
Is this the same story as Mamma Mia! the musical?
Nope, but they sing most of the songs from Mamma Mia! and the show’s story is set in the same universe. There is a cute little love story going on – nothing too difficult to follow. But don’t worry! You’ll fall in love with these characters by the end of the show too.
Have you ever been to Mamma Mia! The Party!?
What did you think? And in which city did you see the show? Let us know in the comments! And in the meantime, you can always check out our blog post archive of past theatre visits for even more insight on what’s going on in theaters around the world!
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* A special thanks to Mamma Mia! The Party for inviting us to the show!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.