My my, what a fantastic idea! When Björn Ulvaeus saw how much fun audiences were having at performances of MAMMA MIA! he wondered how they could take the awesome atmosphere further. Thus, MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY was born. Opening in Stockholm last year, it has been a huge sell-out success, and now Björn wants to bring the fun and festivities to London...
Fittingly, it's Waterloo they've chosen for this unique event and have sought planning permission to build a temporary venue in the area where they can recreate a taverna with a courtyard, olive trees, a fountain and lots of bougainvillea. Fans of the film will recognise the reference, as it will look just like the ones on the island of Skopelos, where the film was shot. Björn and Ingrid, along with architects Haworth Tompkins, are working with the local community to make sure they create something that is acceptable to them as well as to Lambeth Council.
The ABBA legend and writer of music for MAMMA MIA! said “The South Bank is the perfect place for Mamma Mia! the Party. The building could be used for other activities as well, outside Party hours, so we hope it would be an asset for the whole community.”
Björn, director Roine Söderlundh and writer Calle Norlén came up with new characters and a new story, using some of the songs from the musical, but mostly other ABBA songs, and thus MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY was born. Opening in Stockholm on 20 January 2016, it has been a huge sell-out success, and now Björn wants to bring the party to London.
Local social enterprise Coin Street Community Builders has been approached about a currently undeveloped site adjacent to the Coin Street neighbourhood centre on Stamford Street, London SE1. The plan will be to create a wonderfully exotic Greek taverna, where the audience will be served great Mediterranean food and entertained by a cast of actors and musicians, who will transport them to the Greek island paradise.
“MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is an exciting temporary use for a currently undeveloped site of ours. The permanent use for the site will be Phase 2 of our neighbourhood centre. But until we’re ready to move forward with that, we believe this to be a creative and interesting use. We anticipate working with the creators to use the space for community activities at times when it is not open to the public" says deputy group director of Coin Street Community Builders, Alison Pinner.
To keep up to date with MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY visit www.mammamiatheparty.com.
