Crossing Waterloo to Take A Chance on this post-lockdown revival of the legendary soiree, we ended up in Skopelos for a roaringly memorable evening.
It’s the kind of night that leaves you gleefully shouting ‘OPA!’ at unassuming passers-by - or at the very least, humming ABBA hits with an uncontrollable grin, while your Uber driver quietly wonders where he can have what you’re having.
Let’s start from the top.
The set itself is seriously impressive, and you’ll be reaching for the camera as soon as you enter the toasty space. You find yourself in the traditional courtyard of Nikos’ very Greek Taverna, with a canopy of vines surrounded by flower-draped balconies. Around a working fountain are the characteristically Greek sea blue chairs and white tables, the wine and mezze already laid out beckoning you to your table. With a backdrop of cricket sounds and bouzouki, you pick up your welcome cocktail, and declare ‘Ya mas!’ to your table buddies, your new best friends for the night.
Think of it as a full immersive experience rather than a show. The acts of the play are split between the four-course meal served to your table by the supporting actors who seamlessly switch between actual waiters and singing performers throughout the night. The drinks are plentiful too, and you can order easily from the comfort of your table through a convenient QR code.
The menu itself is a Greek as you can get, with a starter of Greek salad, a main of souvlaki-grilled lamb and chicken with lemon potatoes and vegetables, and a dessert of (say it with us) portokalopita, also known as Greek orange cake. It may not be Michelin-worthy, but it gets the basics right, and you definitely won’t leave hungry.
The atmosphere is electric. The 500-strong audience is only too eager to join in with the well-known ABBA classics, and interact with the actors who do an incredible job at immersing the crowd. The production factor is excellent, with crystal clear sound and striking lighting.
There are some emotional scenes too, with just enough suspense to keep our seat edges warm and our thirst for storyline quenched. The script may have been a little ‘S.O.S’ at times, but let’s face it, we aren’t there for a profoundly intricate plot or Academy Award-winning direction. We’re there for a party, and a party is what is brings.
There were definite expectations of ouzo shots at some point in the evening, and it felt like a missed opportunity to get the audience going from the very start. But by the end when the ‘disco’ portion of the evening began, there were so few people still sat at their tables and so many enthusiastically lining up to climb the stages to dance, that I worry about what chaos may have unfolded by the party’s close with any quantity of ouzo served.
You can find out more details and purchase tickets starting at £108.90 here.
Would we go again? Absolutely. It’s a winning combination of beloved music, smashing set design, engaging actors, and traditional food and drink. We had a positively Super Trouper time.
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