Manchester City has today (March 6) submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council for a new immersive event venue at the Etihad Campus that will host the hugely popular, global hit Mamma Mia! The Party. This latest proposal is part of the new Medlock Square development, announced earlier this week, and builds on the Club’s ambition to develop East Manchester into a thriving year-round entertainment destination.
Situated at the north-east of the Campus, the proposed three storey event venue has been designed to complement Co-op Live, as well as the Etihad Stadium’s expanded North Stand and its associated facilities at Medlock Square, including the Medlock Hotel, a wide variety of food and drink outlets, a new club shop, museum and roof walk, all of which are set to open later this year.
What to expect at Mamma Mia! The Party at Manchester City’s Etihad Campus
Working with investors and producers, Pophouse Entertainment, the Club’s proposals for the Campus will offer a unique theatrical dining experience for up to 600 guests per show. Mamma Mia! The Party has been described as a combination of premium hospitality and live theatrical production, delivering a quality dining and entertainment experience.
Following the continued success of the London production at The O2 since 2019, and the Stockholm production recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, the proposed Manchester site will mark the next phase of the global hit’s expansion. Mamma Mia! The Party has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson), and a story by Calle Norlén, Roine Söderlundh and Björn Ulvaeus, with the English book by writer, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig.
Mamma Mia! The Party at the Etihad Campus: “an incredibly exciting opportunity for both East Manchester and the wider city”
Commenting on the Club’s planning application, Danny Wilson, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations, said: “Working with Pophouse, the Club’s latest proposal to further develop the Etihad Campus is an incredibly exciting opportunity for both East Manchester and the wider city more generally.
“We know there is ever increasing demand for more immersive, entertainment experiences in the North of England and we are incredibly proud to have put forward plans for consideration by Manchester City Council to bring a world-renowned event to Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, Medlock Square.
“As with all of our developments, we remain focused on ensuring that our local community benefit from any new facilities, not only in terms of jobs and training during construction, but through our local supply chain and permanent jobs across the Campus enabling local people to build their careers with us.”
“We cannot think of anywhere better to bring one of the world’s most popular and groundbreaking theatrical productions”
Pophouse Chief Executive Officer, Jessica Koravos, added: “Manchester is known for its enthusiasm and innovation in music and entertainment and we cannot think of anywhere better to bring one of the world’s most popular and groundbreaking theatrical productions. We are therefore delighted to be working with Manchester City to bring forward proposals for Mamma Mia! The Party to join Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, Medlock Square.
“Mamma Mia! The Party has been hugely successful in London, with audiences continuing to love the experience even seven years after its opening, and we are excited to be able to expand on that success, with plans to give it a new home in Manchester for many more people to enjoy.”
Locals can have their say on the Mamma Mia! The Party proposals
The Club will be hosting a drop-in event at Beswick Library between 4pm and 6:30pm on Thursday 26th March, for local residents who would like to find out more about the Club’s proposals.
