As many of us know there have been some strange weather experiments happening over in east London in recent days so we took it upon ourselves to go and check it out…
We are of course talking about the Back To The Future Secret Cinema experience… and what an experience it is.
Don’t worry people of Secret Cinema we won’t be blowing the lid off things this is merely a guide of what to expect, how to behave topped with the odd tip or two
And for those not au fait with the spectacle that is Secret Cinema but are interested in checking out what all the fuss is about our friends over at FHM have summarised it pretty damn perfectly…
‘Secret Cinema, for those of you that don’t know, is essentially a massive cinema event where, instead of watching the film in an actual cinema, you’re watching it from a set based on the film. And you’re dressed up like someone from the world of the film. So basically: You’re sitting in a real-life film. Watching a film that’s the film you’re sitting in. It’s like Inception for film geeks’.
Got it? Good. Let’s crack on!
1. You have to hand your phone in
Don’t worry this isn’t necessary as terrifying as it sounds. 6 hours without your precious device is doable! Trust us when we say its nice to actually experience the experience via your eyes rather than your camera-phone lens for once and not see hundreds of people snapping away. If you feel like not having a camera is too much for you to handle you are allow to take in disposable camera’s (remember the ones where you actually have to wind the film on) with you.
2. It gets busy
The site IS spectacular and big but the number of Back To The Future fans is bigger! Secret Cinema will tell you to get there at 5:15, 5:30 or 5:45 but be at the meeting point (or location if you’ve heard where it is on the grapevine – think 2012) at 4:45 latest.
Once you’re in head to the Hill Valley sign and get your picture taken (one physical memory is allowed) otherwise they’ll be a long wait!
3. To dress up or not to dress up?
DRESS UP! Its Secret Cinema and you are part of the show. The few people that we saw not taking on the persona of their character (you’re given a new identity when you register your ticket) looked and presumable felt very much out of place.
There are other props you’re asked to bring such as yellow sunglasses (£10 at Ruth Frock shop or £1.50 at Primark), 3D glasses, homework and pictures of your you and your family… we never actually found out what these were for so don’t feel like you need to go out and grab all this stuff.
4. Food queues are long
But on the whole good quality. Our advice on this would be either eat (a lot) before you get there or don’t leave it to the last minute to get it – you’ll have about a 25 minute wait on your hands.
5. Sit on the edges of the ‘grass’
Wherever you are you’ll have a great view of the screen and main performances however if you want to see some of the extra activity make sure you get yourself to either side of the ‘grass’. We say ‘grass’ because its astroturf but fear not its actually very comfortable.
6. Bring a jumper
It gets cold. Fact, this isn’t Spain and the site is pretty open so the wind does rip through.
We love this film and we loved sharing the experience surrounded by thousands of other fans who are dressed up and merry in every sense of the word. There was whooping and applause throughout and it’s difficult not to get swept up when the whole crowd rises to the feet for an impromptu boogie during Johnny B. Goode…
Secret Cinema Presents Back to the Future will run from 24 July – 31 August 2014. Tickets available here.