Experiencing Secret Cinema 2016, though please, Tell No One…

Secret Cinema 2016 – Tell No One: Airman Lucinda Belltran reporting back to base! The Hollywood News samples the first Secret Cinema event of the year.

Secret Cinema 2016 – Tell No One // Photo by Camilla Greenwell

What an experience. We’ve just signed back in from our time at the first of Secret Cinema’s 2016 programme, at a top secret location in London where we were briefed to ‘Tell No One’. We will however, try to give you a taste of what to expect at this brilliant experience which runs in the capital until the 20th of March.

Entering the ‘secured Air Force base,’ we passed troop transports, wire fencing and search lights, before being subjected to a stop & search by uniformed staff. I felt my heartbeat raise with nervous anticipation in case they found anything…. Okay, really they searched my bag and put my mobile out of action via a sealed pouch, but it was still a little unnerving to say the least.

Secret Cinema 2016 – Tell No One // Photo by Camilla Greenwell

We were surrounded by crowds of uniformed personnel, all queuing up to gain entrance to the main building. Before being admitted, we were shouted at for being off base by a stern Captain. We walked through a maze of corridors to enter what can only be described as an officer’s mess on a Friday night. A rowdy bunch of people all in uniform stood slurping on £7 cocktails. As I looked over my shoulder a whole different world emerged with a whirl wind of activity. Within minutes, a female in uniform tried to recruit me to join ‘Wings’, the service’s all female group. I amused myself watching the fitness test / drill which was taking place, and then ventured to another mess where I ordered a tin of macaroni cheese, nicely washed down with a Brooklyn beer. My people watching was interrupted by a impromptu sing along of services song involving foot stamping, helmet bashing and swaying (probably the cocktails).

Having walked around this new world and thinking we had exhausted all the sets, to my delight, we discovered another door which lead me into a room filled with music from a swinging band and flutes of champagne – yes another bar. Just as I was getting habitually used to my new surroundings, I was awoken by the gunshots and a massive firefight ensued. As I dropped to the floor I did question, was this acting or was this all real?

Secret Cinema 2016 – Tell No One // Photo by Hanson Leatherby

Code red code red, the adrenaline kicks in and I’m ushered into a transformed set known as the War room and the film of the night was finally about to start. We obviously won’t divulge the film, but if perfectly fits within this fantastic world created by the organisers. Secret Cinema have done it again.

So, should you go? With the opportunity to dress up in uniform, get involved in role play, and to become a different persona in a bygone era, Secret Cinema’s Tell No One is and evening that can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. When we visited, there were a mixture of ages enjoying the evening; friends, workgroups, singles, couples, all living and breathing the drama. The airmen who were sat in the row behind us in the War room exclaimed; ‘this is the perfect third date’. It truly is magnificent. Bring on the next one!

Secret Cinema 2016 – Tell No One // Photo by Camilla Greenwell

Here’s our top tips for attending ‘Tell No One’:

1. Dress up as per the brief when you book you tickets. This maximises the experience, and completely immerses you into this truly unique experience.
2. Get there early to enjoy the huge amount of stuff on offer.  Also, talk to as many people as possible…
3. Go on a day when you don’t have an early start the next morning. The entertainment goes on way past the rolling credits of the film, and you’ll definitely want to hang around and sample the delicious cocktails.

For more information on Secret Cinema, and to book tickets, visit their official website here. Tell No One runs until the 20th March, 2016.