I’M surrounded by sequinned jumpsuits, bright-pink feather boas and white go-go boots.
It means I can be in just one place – the dance floor of Abba Voyage, the astonishing concert in London performed by CGI versions of the four bandmates in their Seventies glory days.
The tech is so impressive, that it’s hard to believe the Swedish superstars aren’t really performing live on stage.
I found my grasp on reality slipping even further when a real-life backing band appeared.
I was mesmerised by every visual in the purpose-built venue, with a kaleidoscope of brightly coloured lights descending from the ceiling as Dancing Queen played.
Despite Abba Voyage wowing audiences for the last three years at the purpose-built venue in Stratford, East London, the place was still packed.
You can, of course, book seats but my friend Ellie and I preferred the standing tickets, where we had more than enough space to dance our hearts out to Mamma Mia and Waterloo.
Getting in the right mood for a boogie was essential, and we had pre-show food and drinks at Stratford restaurant and bar The Print House – Jim & Tonic East to thank for our exuberance.
It was an excellent recommendation from my hotel Yotelpad London Stratford, and its Step into Stratford initiative that highlights top local attractions.
An added bonus was the ten-per-cent discount for Yotelpad guests.
Just a four-minute walk from the Abba Arena, the Print House was teeming with concert-goers as we arrived.
We were greeted by a long bar as we entered, while a DJ blasted out pop classics – just the warm-up act we needed. The cocktails are a must – and I opted for my favourite, a spicy margarita.
It was then time for food and, to start, we shared the marinated prawns and a garlicky flatbread – both delicious.
Aware of all the dancing ahead – it’s a marathon, not a sprint – I plumped for a parmigiana pizza, which totally hit the spot.
Keen to sample a tipple from the on-site distillery, then I washed my main course down with a gin flight. Ambitious, I know – it came with three gins, my favourite being the Mediterranean.
While we could have returned to the Print House for an after-show drink, my friend and I decided to head back to the hotel to rest our feet – we had just spent the last 90 minutes as dancing queens.
The hotel, a 25-minute walk from the Pudding Mill Lane arena and close to Stratford’s Tube Station, is in an ideal location for an overnight stay after an evening show.
From the self-service check-in desks, laundry facilities and luggage storage, to its 24/7 Grab & Go area where snacks such as popcorn and nuts can be bought, it ticks all boxes.
Our queen-size room had an en-suite bathroom with a rainfall shower. The fully adjustable smart bed was extremely comfortable and the kitchenette an added bonus.
After a comfortable night’s sleep, the only thing I can say is: “Thank you for the music . . . and the cocktails, of course.”
