Plans for an immersive pop-up Mamma Mia! spin-off production have been announced, following ABBA veteran Björn Ulvaeus and producer Ingrid Sutej applying for planning permission for a location on the South Bank in London. The process has begun for a new temporary space in London for Mamma Mia! spin-off, ‘Mamma Mia! The Party’.
The musical production is a huge hit the world over, and as a result Mamma Mia! The Party was born. It opened in Stockholm last year after ABBA songwriter Ulvaeus wanted to extend the legacy and party spirit of the production elsewhere. The immersive theatre piece features a new story and new characters conceived by Ulvaeus, director Roine Söderlundh and writer Calle Norlén, and contains some of the songs from the original musical, as well as other ABBA songs.
For ABBA and musical theatre fans, this is a dream come true. It has been said that producers are considering a site on Stamford Street, SE1, adjacent to the Coin Street neighbourhood centre. Recreating a typical Greek taverna, the Waterloo space will feature a courtyard, olive trees, a fountain and bougainvillea – the flower seen across the Greek island of Skopelos. The team are working with architects Haworth Tompkins to create the space, and the plan is to also serve the audience traditional Mediterranean food during the performance.
For this particular pop-up performance, it seems the London South Bank is hugely fitting and the perfect place to host the event. Whilst further dates and more information about the project are yet to be announced, it seems the building could also be used for other activities, outside party hours, so it is hoped to be an asset for the whole community.