Kate Lyon reports from London’s O2 Arena on the
complex production behind the immersive
theatrical dining experience
Mamma Mia! The Party...
Moving the audience from rows of seats in a theatre or
arena where they are observing the show with some, but
quite limited, interaction with the performers, to a fully
immersive evening of drinks, dinner and 360° up-close
entertainment is the most recent development in live
production. Leaving behind the echoes of the Jubilee Line
and the shopping walkways of the O2, participants are
transported to an idyllic taverna setting, complete with
a central fountain and abundant bougainvillea foliage
adorning the balconies. The only evidence of what is
behind the façade are several of the O2’s supporting pillars
that are heavily disguised. And, for the very observant, the
density of audio and light fixtures, hung in the main from a
bespoke truss configuration installed by Unusual Rigging.AUDIO
Essentially a rectangular room with balconies on all
sides, without a specific performance area yet with
performers and a live band intermingling with the seated
diners throughout the venue, the difficulties of delivering
a consistently excellent audio experience for all is
transparently obvious. Award-winning sound designer
Gareth Owen was offered the opportunity to take up the
challenge. “I was approached directly by Björn UlvaeusPhoto: Luke Dyson