Secret Cinema 21: six dos and don’ts for their latest mysterious production

After uncharacteristically revealing the film before the event in their ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ production, normal service has resumed at Secret Cinema HQ as they launch another cinematic experience shrouded in mystery – Secret Cinema 21.

The only clues we have are the image above and a Nelson Mandela quote: ‘When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.’

Figured it out? Us neither! So we sent along a Secret Cinema newbie to test out the latest cryptic incarnation. Here are her tips for how to get the most out of it…

Don’t be an idiot
I was a Secret Cinema virgin before this, and rather embarrassingly, my friend and I sat contentedly in the first room we entered for a good 40 minutes, assuming that was the extent of it. It was only when we saw other, less idiotic people disappearing through a door that we realised we’d seen just a tiny fraction of the vast, beautiful venue.

Don’t be fashionably late
Get there promptly because you’ll want a good couple of hours before the film starts to wander and enjoy the spectacle. In fact, it was quite disappointing to have to sit down and watch something so passively after the interactive, unpredictable experience we’d been having. Plus we were pretty drunk by then and the plot was really complicated (see first paragraph on idiocy).

Do travel light
There’s no cloakroom, and I can tell you from experience that carrying your gym kit round all night doesn’t really set off the costume.

Do eat, drink and spend
It is a pricey night at £50 just for the ticket (food/drinks not included) – but only if you think of it as a trip to the cinema. Think of it as a show (expertly produced) and treat yourself to dinner (some of the best pulled pork I’ve had) and drinks (excellent cocktails). Bring cash.

Do suspend your disbelief
It’s been said before, but the more you put in, the more you get out. Put aside your cynicism, dress fancy, talk to people. Yes, some of the accents are a bit shonky, and yes, you can see the Primark labels on the clothes hanging in the wardrobes – but let yourself get swept along and you’ll soon appreciate what a hugely complex and impressive show this is.

Do get involved
Talk to the actors. A secret note handed to us set off a sequence of events that made us feel at the heart of the action, and it was clear that everyone else was experiencing their own, unique storylines. JTake a risk, gamble, try and stay out of trouble and don’t forget to vote…

Tags: film, Secret Cinema, secret cinema 021, secret london