Tell no one...
I've always had a strange relationship with cinema. I love the visual element of films, the way they can transport you to an era in time, the sets, the costumes – I'm fascinated by the images on screen. Unfortunately my love for visuals is matched only by my indifference towards storylines. For example, the futuristic neon cityscapes of Blade Runner make it one of my favourite films to watch, but I couldn't name a single character or give you even a brief plot summary.
But I'm determined not to let my love of film be held to ransom by my childlike concentration span, which is why I've decided to try things a little differently tonight. I know absolutely nothing about Secret Cinema other than you're not allowed to talk about it, but I quite like that. I find it pretty impressive that in an age of social media and instant messaging where nothing stays underground for too long, they manage to maintain an air of mystery around the whole production.
After meeting at a location pre-arranged by email, our group of punters are met by actors and are taken covertly through the back streets of London to the location of the screening. We haven't even been told what we'll be watching, but the observant among the group pick up clues from our guide's costumes, their language, and a few overheard interactions.
Once signed in at our destination we're left to roam a living, breathing film set. The premise of the evening is now clearer to me – more than a simple pop-up screening, Secret Cinema immerses you in a film through live interactive performance and meticulously accurate set design. The staggering amount of time and effort which must go into this is obvious; even the money you purchase and trade for food and drinks (and be warned, it'll amount to a fair bit) has been specially designed to fit the scene.
The longer I wander around the more blurred the lines of reality become. At points I have no idea who is an actor and who isn't. I don't feel like I'm walking around a film set any more; I've transcended into the celluloid, and it's actually pretty bizarre. After an adventurous two hours we're called to sit at a giant screen and the title of the film is revealed. As expected, given my attention span, 20 minutes into the film I'm heading home. But far from disappointed, I don't ever remember enjoying a screening this much. Not only do I understand what it's like to really experience a film, but I've got a feeling the people behind Secret Cinema may even share my casual disregard of plotlines over visual artistry and atmosphere. And the film itself? Well, that's a secret...
For tickets and more info visit: www.secretcinema.org/tickets
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