FILM-SECRET CINEMA/STAR WARS Star Wars lands in London in latest Secret Cinema world

Record ID: 151846

  • Title: FILM-SECRET CINEMA/STAR WARS Star Wars lands in London in latest Secret Cinema world
  • Date: 19th June 2015
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (JUNE 18, 2015) (REUTERS) ATTENDEES WALKING AROUND SECRET CINEMA'S STAR WARS SET RECREATION OF TATOOINE VARIOUS OF ATTENDEE TALKING TO BOBA FETT VARIOUS OF STORMTROOPER CHECKING ATTENDEE'S IDENTIFICATION ATTENDEES DRESSED AS REBELS WALKING THROUGH SET (SOUNDBITE) (English) SECRET CINEMA FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, FABIEN RIGGALL, SAYING: (BEGINS OVER REPORTER
  • Embargoed: 4th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVASIUZMQ53C50ZDGS574SKKVSX
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The market stalls of Tatooine are bustling with activity, where hooded jawas search for treasures and Stormtroopers patrol the sandy streets on the lookout for suspicious activity.
    Nearby R2-D2 trundles alongside C3PO past huts and tents while Chewbacca high-fives a passerby.
    A galaxy, far, far away has arrived at a secret location in London for a "Star Wars" film screening with a difference.
    Secret Cinema, which specialises in immersive film events, is bringing to life one of the most popular film franchises of all time in a summer screening of "The Empire Strikes Back" - something that took founder and director Fabien Riggall years to negotiate.
    "It took me a year to get the rights for this, and I met with various different folk from all the different areas, and this was a year undertaking, and it took us a year to negotiate this building," he told Reuters, adding that audiences now want experiences that go beyond.
    As the name suggests, little is revealed of what the evening entails and attendees are asked not to unveil details.
    The secrecy begins as soon as the 78 pound ($124) ticket is bought.
    Buyers are given special codes and identities as they join the "Rebel Alliance" against the Empire.
    Upon arrival, they are transported into the space fantasy mingling among "aliens" and well-known characters in a narrative that begins with the first "Star Wars: A New Hope".
    Some make trades or are given missions, others less fortunate, are dragged away by Stormtroopers and thrown in jail.
    "I think that audiences are looking for experiences that go beyond the traditional theatre, the traditional concert, traditional gallery, traditional restaurant," Riggall told Reuters.
    "I think people are looking for a new way to experience culture, and I think what Secret Cinema has untapped is that desire is increasing with every technology that comes out. I think audiences are looking to connect and become part of the culture, become part of the experience," he added.
    Some have raised eyebrows at the cost of attending these showpiece events now though, with ticket costs just the start of a six hour evening where food and drink cost similar amounts to those found at festivals, where confectionary inflation has also been criticised.
    That's added to the cost of the uniform that attendees have to buy as well.
    But given the scale of what Riggall and his production company have undertaken in bringing this world to life, he feels criticism is unfair - even when compared to last year, when Secret Cinema transformed an east London site into Hill Valley, drawing more than 80,000 people for 22 screenings of "Back to the Future".
    "The scale of Back to the Future is that we had 100 actors, and here we have 70 actors, so we've got 70 actors for 1,500 people, and then we have close to I think 160 other people working on this," Riggall said.
    "All the barmen go through rehearsals, all the security go through rehearsals, all the food staff go through rehearsals, the whole thing is immersive, so I think that this is the highest level of immersion that we've achieved, and when you see the scale of the details that the art department have gone through I think you'll see the value," he added.
    Some 400 people were involved in the sprawling production site and organisers said up to 1,500 attendees are expected at each event with 100 shows.
    Everyone from food stall sellers to security staff are in costume and character, making it easy for revellers join in.
    "I was learning a little bit about the intergalactic spice trade," explorer "Disco Reen" said. Asked what that involved, he replied: "I shouldn't say too much -- it's not legal on this planet."
    Another explorer "Pharl Norn" discussed a run-in with smuggler Lando Calrissian and debts owed to him by the latter.
    Only one half of the set was permitted to be filmed, meaning a huge chunk of the experience remains a secret - including a bombastic finisher before the audience is taken in to see "The Empire Strikes Back", complete with live action scenes from Secret Cinema's actors.
    Secret Cinema runs until September 27.
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