A Lady in London

Secret audience. Secret film. Secret locations. Secret worlds. Tell no one.

This is how London’s increasingly popular Secret Cinema describes itself. Offering Londoners the opportunity to dress up according to a theme, participate in several hours of pre-cinema entertainment, and watch a classic film, the company has revolutionized the movie-going experience in the capital. And with such an alluring, mysterious tag line, it’s no wonder the phenomenon has become a sensation in the city.

“The time is now to change how we watch films” is Secret Cinema’s mantra. But how exactly does it do that? I had experienced their films on two previous occasions, so I knew roughly what to expect when they invited me to return for a third time. However, I went with several friends that were new to it, and found myself in the difficult position of having to describe something that is ever-changing.

First, every film is shown in a different location. From Lawrence of Arabia at the Alexandra Palace to The Battle of Algiers in the tunnels beneath Waterloo Station, Secret Cinema mixes up its venues to keep guests guessing.

When my friends asked me what kind of venue to expect, I couldn’t give them specifics. All I knew was that we were supposed to meet at a predetermined rendezvous point in London from which we would embark on our cinematic journey.

Second, the pre-film entertainment varies from film to film. While every Secret Cinema experience is similar in that full theatrical sets are built to resemble locations from the movies, no two films have the same theme. However, generally people spend time walking through the various rooms and spaces to get a glimpse of the world the characters live in. They can even participate in thematic games and activities.

In addition to the existence of sets, there are actors that play different characters from the film. Sometimes they perform scenes from the movie, and sometimes they encourage audience participation in clandestine activities or large-scale dramatizations related to the its theme. People can also walk into rooms and talk with a character about his or her role in the goings on, immersing themselves in the film before watching it.

Third, the food, drinks, and music at Secret Cinema differ each time. The cuisine usually follows the theme of the film, and sometimes Secret Cinema partners with famous London restaurants to provide the food. Drinks vary seasonally, and music generally follows the genre of the movie. In the past I have seen live bands play and actors teach people how to do various dances.

Fourth, the screenings themselves differ from venue to venue. Depending on the size of the space, films are either shown in one large room with a big screen or in multiple smaller rooms that serve as intimate theaters. The theme of the film generally lends itself to one or the other so that the viewing experience fits in with it.

There are so many variations from movie to movie that it was no easy task to explain how Secret Cinema works to my friends. But no matter how general my explanations had to be, I could assure them of one thing: they would be immersed in the movie from the moment they arrived until the moment they left. I knew that they would enjoy the experience, and they did. So did I. I would tell you all about it but it’s a secret.