ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus is opening a Mamma Mia! themed restaurant at the O2

ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus is opening a Mamma Mia! themed restaurant at the O2
Dinner and a show: Mamma Mia! The Party in Stockholm, near the ABBA museum (Dewynters)
JONATHAN PRYNN


photo May 2018  - Chess


ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus has said “here we go again” to plans for a Mamma Mia! themed restaurant in London, after he ditched a failed bid to open it in Waterloo.

The Swedish songwriter and singer today revealed he intends to launch an immersive attraction — called Mamma Mia! The Party — at the O2 complex in Greenwich.

When it opens in “late spring” next year, up to 500 guests a night will dine on Mediterranean food in a mock Greek taverna while singers blast out ABBA songs around them and perform a “spin-off” story from the hit musical and movie Mamma Mia! At the end of the evening, tables will be cleared away to make way for a vast Seventies-style disco dance floor.

The announcement comes less than four months after the 73-year-old was forced to abandon his original plans to create the venue in Coin Street, close to the station that shares a name with one of ABBA’s biggest hits.

Residents had launched a spirited “No Thank You For The Music” campaign in opposition, claiming their lives would be blighted by rowdy ABBA fans emerging from the restaurant in the early hours.


Ulvaeus said today: “We have long admired the O2 and the huge entertainment success it has become under the ownership and management of AEG.

“We believe bringing Mamma Mia! The Party to the O2 will add to this already vibrant cultural destination and provide the perfect location for our exciting new show.”


John Langford, vice president and general manager of the O2, said: “To be hosting Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2 is a real honour. It perfectly complements the outstanding live performances, events and entertainment all available under our world-famous roof.”

The plan marks the latest commercial venture involving the music of ABBA, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. A sequel to the movie Mamma Mia! — Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again — opened last month and has taken roughly $350 million (£270 million) at the box office.

https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/restaurants/abba-restaurant-london-waterloo-the-o2-mamma-mia-a3923411.html

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Mamma Mia! the Party the immersive dining experience to open at the O2
The immersive theatrical dining experience is wending its way to London
AuthorDaisy Bowie-SellLocationsLondon30 August 2018

ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus has announced that his immersive version of Mamma Mia! is to open in London.

The 'theatrical and dining experience' originally launched in Stockholm and offers participants the chance to feel as though they are in a Greek taverna while Nikos and his family perform around them.

A specially-adapted venue within the O2 will host the event, with architects Steve Tompkins from Haworth Tompkins transforming the venue, complete with a fountain, olive trees and bougainvillea.

Ulvaeus originally decided to create the party when he saw so many people enjoying the musical. The Stockholm version opened in 2016 and is in its third year.

Ulvaeus is producing the party with Ingrid Sutej and tickets will go on sale this autumn. Mamma Mia! the Party is set to open in late spring 2019.

There were originally plans to open the immersive version on a space at the South Bank.

https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/mamma-mia-party-open-o2-immersive_47482.html
© Dewynters