Secret Cinema Reviews 

I was given a couple of tickets for this event for free by a friend, and it seemed like a really fun night out. A few friends have been to immersive experience things like this before, and they sounded incredible. I’m not a massive fan of Grease (slightly troubling abandon-self-and-values-for-partner theme, to say the least 😂) but the songs are great, and I wanted to take my 18yo daughter for a fun evening together.

I think the issue with this event is calling it an ‘immersive experience’ – the old style Secret Cinema was, by all accounts, exactly that. You were absolutely part of the drama, you got right in amongst the action and it unfolded around you. The audiences were small, the whole thing had that truly secret feeling, like you’d been caught up in a parallel world.

This experience was much more of a themed screening of a movie. The food and drinks were (mostly) 1950s themed, the whole place was designed as part of the Rydell High set (including bleachers and ferris wheel!!), and there was audience interaction with the cast. (The singing/dancing was brilliant!)

But… unlike the original Secret Cinema ethos, this felt mostly about the commercial opportunities. We weren’t allowed to bring in our own food or drinks, and it was 6-10pm experience, so at the very least you’re going to want a drink. But even though the cheapest tickets were £40 (and there are various premium options that are much more than that), all the refreshments available were an additional cost, and at a predictably high price point, e.g., a very average bottle of wine £30 (unless you had much higher-priced tickets, when you were given a voucher for food and drink included).

The food was good, and not insanely expensive, but it added to the feeling of really being a customer, rather than part of the experience. If bringing your own picnic was an option (as in many outdoor theatre experiences which we’ve loved, like Three Inch Fools), then the feeling of being somewhat rinsed might be avoided!

The thing that *really* made it feel like a commercial event, though, were the many many steward/security guards, absolutely all over the place. I’m sure they were needed, and in general they were neutral/friendly, but their blue polo shirt uniform made them very obviously not part of the experience, and there was a pretty heavy-handed presence in terms of not taking photos (unless it was of each other) and being herded back / away from the cast a lot of the time. (Plus they picked up and discarded half-finished drinks and food if you didn’t physically hold onto them!)

But the stewarding was obviously necessary, because the event was huuuugee. There were hundreds of people there, and in the end that’s what made it entirely *not* an immersive experience. There was *zero* sense that we were truly in the film (in the way that friends have described it being for The Shawshank Redemption, 28 Days Later, or Back to the Future, in previous years, or last year at War of the Worlds, run by a different company).

So if you’re happy to drop at least £75+ per person (and potentially much more) on a really impressively in-depth themed cinema screening (and the sound and quality of the screen was incredible, very very good indeed) where lots of the audience will dress up to the nines, then go for it.

If you want to be immersed / feel like you’re living inside your favourite movie (or you don’t have that kind of money to spend on a film night!) then avoid and recreate your own 😂 I would definitely not go to something like this for a film I *really* loved because I think it might spoil it.

However – it was a fun evening, I’m v grateful to the lovely friend who gifted us the tickets, and I enjoyed the singalong aspect of the movie itself, and having a laugh with friends.

(The amazing weather also helped; a warm dry evening with a gorgeous sunset was a huge factor in the overall enjoyment; wouldn't fancy it in the rain!)

Attended multiple secret cinema experiences in the past, all were magical and immersive...

The actors, alongside the Grease film are fantastic and you cannot fault them. The choreography is perfectly in sync with what's happening on screen.

However, unfortunately it seems the company have sold out and are now putting little effort into the film 'world' concept.

This experience was on a much smaller scale compared to usual, it was on one of the NEC carparks. The area is filled up with expensive food and drink vans. Charging roughly £10 for a cocktail, £6.50 for a can of beer. Even worse £6.50 for a mocktail, which is mainly lemonade!

Fairground rides, were extra if you wanted to ride.

Overall there wasn't much to immerse yourself into prior to the film, apart from struggling to watch a few of the performances going on around you, because they were all mainly at ground level so you needed to fight with the crowds if you actually wanted to see them.

For over £70 a ticket, I expect a lot more from a company that claims they deliver 'Cinema made epic'.

Attended the Secret Cinems Grease experience 9th Aug and it was Amazing, took me right back in time and the cast was Amazing they was so good, the set and Costumes it was like being there for real. Will definitely be going again

Cannot recommend this enough. Amazing evening. So much fun - didn’t want the evening to end. One of the best live events I have ever been too. Book your tickets now!

Paid for the premium, then the price was reduced by £20 only a few days later. The premium ticket really wasn’t worth it and the drinks and food were really over priced. Wouldn’t go again

Absolutely incredible! Attended the Grease show at the NEC and LITERALLY grinned from ear to ear for the whole 3.5 hours, it was amazing. The cast were epic, they were engaging, got us involved in so many things, and I couldn’t believe how great their likeliness was to the original cast! This was my first Secret Cinema event and certainly won’t be my last! Please do more at the NEC soon, and please please do another Dirty Dancing as can’t believe we missed out on that last year! Thanks for a truly great night

We attended the opening night which obviously was a bit of a wash out (although we still really enjoyed it) but we cane again last night and it was brilliant! We loved it. The cinema moments itself blew us away and the cast are brilliant. Thank you secret cinema for making it happen and consider us life long fans!

Generally LOVE Secret Cinema events. Some have ranked higher than others but I'm yet to leave one wishing I hadn't bothered!
Grease is the first show to be out of London and is smaller in scale than the usual outdoor events. Personally I loved this. it felt more intimate and you were more likely to see some action and get involved with character interactions.
The food is on the more expensive end as would be expected in an event like this- compare it to a theatre trip or festival- it's to be expected.
The weather has NOT been on their side this time which is SUCH a shame, it would have been amazing to have seen some more covered areas based on this but understand logistics aren't always possible. I was lucky my visit wasn't raining until the film, when we got a sprinkle. the cast carried on and it was such a good show. Left absolutely buzzing!
Look forward to what comes next!

We went on opening night on Wednesday 26th July. It was forecast heavy rain from 4pm to last all night. We took our umbrellas and off we went. The rain was horrendous. We had paid for premium tickets which in all honesty are not worth the extra money, the only good thing is that you skip the main queue. If you have the most expensive food and buy two drinks there you save around £3-5 by having a premium ticket. The souvenir is a map printed on card, which in the torrential rain we were in the ink all ran and it disintegrated. A keyring or magnet would have been better.

We honestly thought the event would be cancelled whilst we were waiting to go in due to how bad the weather was. One of the ladies checking us in said there is contingency for bad weather, we did not see what this was, it was all outside the only cover was the gym set up which then closed and stopped letting people in or the covering where the bar was which is where a lot of people stood.

Because of the weather the gym was packed and we couldn't see any of the dancing which was disappointing. We didn't know who were the actors as everyone had coats or ponchos on, we didn't really know what was happening.

The fair ground rides were still operational but they cost extra and are expensive for what they are. the ferris wheel you need 4 tokens per person to go on, they only sell tokens in 5's, 5 tokens cost £7.50, which we were not prepared to pay to go on in the rain.

The food was nice we had the pizza which was lovely.

We did not get the 'experience' we were hoping for. The emails you receive say to dress for the British weather, the company who manage the events should also have plans in place for the British weather.

On a plus we have been offered complimentary tickets to return and we are going on 9th August, the weather is supposed to be nice so we are hoping that we can be involved and experience the 'experience'

Amazing night at Grease. Although much smaller than previous shows this production still packs a punch. Fabulous interactions .. first with Danny and Kenickie, followed by the Pink Ladies singing about summer nights (gave me goosebumps), then having a watch of the hand jive and seeing the amazing Cha Cha, watching Greased Lightning and then being led by Rizzo for “there are worse things ..”
Had a lovely Rum cocktail and Greek wrap during the show. I thought it was a nice touch they were selling glasses of wine/prosecco in the waiting area before the show. Loved it so much I’m traveling up from London again on Saturday. The only niggle is that I paid full price and now tickets are much reduced… but I wasn’t prepared to wait so that’s my fault! Bravo to Secret Cinema.
PS What’s your next production and make it soon 😊😊

We had booked for the Live Grease experience but on the day thunderstorms, rain and wind was forecast for the whole day. Hours before it was scheduled to start I emailed support and asked could they change our tickets to a dry day. I was told it was too short notice so NO. As if we could predict the weather!

We decided to go as we had a hotel booked and had already paid for this and pre-booked parking for the event.

We got there and it was awful, rain and very windy. No shows were on just a band singing in a tent. Food and drink prices were well expensive too.

We had to leave at 3pm when the movie started showing on the big screen outside as my friend had recently had a hip replacement and couldn’t stand for the 2 hours. The floor was soaked and so were the benches so this wasn’t an option to sit down either.

I spoke to member of staff on the way out, she advised to submit a complaint to the support team and we should get a refund. She also took my details and was going to send them to head office too. Well I emailed support this morning and was told no refund no nothing. Absolutely disgusting. We’ve paid for an experience that they couldn’t provide due to the awful weather conditions. This company needs reporting and closing down. They only care about taking your money and stuff the lack of experience you receive!!!

Worst customer service ever. They plan a fully outdoor event (although genuinely this wasn't clear until you arrive). On the day we get there and there are literal severe weather warnings and it's pouring with rain. Obviously they don't cancel so they can make maximum money, so you see all the funfair rides running with no one on them and they're planning on showing the entire movie outside. My friend is unwell so I ask them if we can change tickets as they can't be outside in the rain for 2-3 hours. They confidentally tell me that this should be fine and to just email support (they even check this with a manager and take our info). We leave and immediately email and they're like, sorry the events started now so we can't do anything. I mean tell me that at the door then, I would have at least tried to go. I had driven 2.5 hours just to get there and the only reason I didn't attempt to go in is because you pretty confidentally told me I could change tickets? Now I'm emailing their representitives and they just ignore all communication. I 100% recommend no one books one of these.

I had splendid time it’s fabulous worth every penny

The best night of my life!! Went with two friends and loved it that much booked again with family for the week after! I had never heard of Secret Cinema and so didn't know what to expect, but oh my god, I loved everything about it! You feel like your in the film! The actors are amazing, so friendly and interactive, getting you to join in the with the dancing, the cheerleaders, the band practise and so much more. The food is delicious, maybe slightly pricey but that's what I would expect from these type of events. The carnival rides were just magical! I did not want to leave!! Can I go a third time!! ❤️

This was amazing!
Granted, we had good weather for it. But the actors were amazing, “Rizzo” had an amazing voice and it was so much fun.
Yes the food is a bit pricey, but what do you expect at these kind of events.
It was my first secret cinema and was so much fun!
I 100% recommend for a fun night out.
The only downside was that the NEC is like a fortress!!

Another great Secret Cinema experience. The actors/singers/dancers were all amazing, as were the crew under difficult circumstances. The weather was awful but we still sang & danced in the rain.

We did the Grease secret cinema and it was the first time we had been to one, sadly it will be our last, not because of the outstanding performance of the actors but the absolute blatant robbery that went on at the bar and food vans, £6.50 for a can of San Miguel and £5.00 for a bottle of zero alcohol lager, we were charged £10 for a poor quality burger and £5.50 for the worst chips ever, sorry secret cinema but you've seen the last of my money

Avoid, avoid, avoid…..waste of money, horrendous staff experience from security, management, bar and performer. Spent over £1000 as a group and treated disrespectfully. Never again!!!

Once In a Lifetime Experience!
6:30pm, 18+
(First Secret Cinema we have been to, so take this as you will.)

My friend and I, ("Dolly and Doll") found ourselves to be the youngest at the 18+ event, (we're both 20) immersed with a load of drunk Grease loving 30+ year olds, living our best lives.

The actors embodied their character in every way imaginable, the T-Birds had that T-"Bone" Charm, shoutout to Roger and Doody who caught us completely off guard and left us dumbfounded, speechless, my friends jaw was on the floor, bless, who could blame her. And the Pink Lady's were just, simply iconic and recognisable despite only catching them once or twice.

Can totally see why people read fan-fiction now.

As soon as we left, we were looking at the possibility of going again. We were really into it by the end, front of the line for the conga etc etc but it took a while for us to warm up so we may have missed a few bits going on.

Although we quickly realised after a £10 burger and £10.50 for a cocktail, £5.99 for rain ponchos due to the lack of shelter, you'd expect that maybe to be provided. Those serving us were about as miserable as the weather. (Unless they were trying to play a character.) would like to note that there were no lockers to which I could see and had to leave my stuff attended for dancing often. No pouches for phones to be put away etc. Having to pay to go on the big wheel, etc is a bit naff.

A glorified carnival showing Grease to put it bluntly. That being said I still loved it and so did my friend it exceeded her expectations and had essentially met mine.

We might not be able to go again for a long time yet, but we will certainly remember it.

Also quick thank you to security who were so fun and charming when dealing with us all, ensuring all measures were in place and when greeting us and checking tickets.

Absolute rip off. Bought premium tickets for £80 each for a Saturday evening show. The e ticket stated standard ticket but they then sent an email saying they’d got that wrong and my tickets were in fact premium. When we arrived, despite showing the email to the staff, they would only give us standard admission. I am so angry as this was a birthday celebration and I feel completely ripped off