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After Covid, Secret Cinema quickly became one of my favourite experiences to get involved with. There is just something special about leaving the world behind – even just for an afternoon – to explore silicon facsimiles of your favourite franchises.
The recent Bridgerton and Stranger Things Secret Cinemas were truly remarkable, and the (almost) annual Dirty Dancing vacation hotspot is one of my all-time favourite memories in recent years.
So then, Grease: The Live Experience was sure to be a major success in my mind – especially as it was being held outside London; this time at Birmingham’s prestigious NEC.
Thankfully, I was right – mostly. Grease: The Live Experience is one of the most carefree, exciting live immersive events available to you right now.
If you’ve attended a Secret Cinema romp in recent years you’ll know the score, but for the newcomers: Grease welcomes Rydell High “students” into a living breathing schoolyard, complete with an autoshop, fairground, bleachers, games and pie-throwing fun before Grease is played on a massive cinema screen overlooking the grounds.
The school’s principal bantered with students while attendees hung out with their favourite characters, creating that enticing Secret Cinema trademark fun.
What’s more, scenes from Grease were masterfully acted out by the event’s resident actors throughout the evening across different sets and locations. Danny, Sandy, Rizzo, Kenicki and more were brought to life with scary accuracy and acted out with masterful precision.
Rizzo’s actress in particular had a stunning voice, and her rendition of “There are Worse Things I Could Do” almost left her audience stunned into silence.
These exceptional performers were improved upon by the amazing look and feel of Rydell High that they inhabited. From the school gymnasium to its cafeteria, the authenticity bled into each performance, and – just for a moment – transported you directly into 1959.
With a blistering sun overhead and a drink in hand, it was really one of the most authentic and exciting experiences Secret Cinema has ever put on.
The day of activities was not without its issues, however.
The aforementioned movie scene performances scattered throughout the day came in (approximately) 15 or 30-minute intervals before the film was shown on the big screen.
While this gave an exciting feeling of something happening at every turn, it also made the day feel extremely rushed. Running from just 6:30pm to 10pm, I wouldn’t be surprised if attendees missed countless photo opportunities and live performances because they simply didn’t know there were things happening on the other side of the park. I really feel like if the day were even an hour longer fans would have got a chance to see everything (or a little more, at the very least).
Furthermore, security was particularly aggressive throughout the entire day.
In previous Secret Cinema events, punters’ phones were locked away to keep the cinema, um, secret. This crucial act allowed attendees to really experience the day through their eyes, not a screen, and immerse themselves fully without threat of notification. Grease: The Live Experience allowed fans to take photos throughout the day, but videoing performances was prohibited. To enforce this rule, security (sternly) placed their hands in front of phone cameras and scolded attendees for filming the illustrious dance routines. I understand why the rule is there – but surely, then, phones should have been locked away? No one would have minded. Secret Cinema, you can’t have it both ways. Either lock phones up or let us video everything.
These two points were frustrating but nowhere near enough to sour the entire magical day.
Grease: The Live Experience is one of the most enjoyable Secret Cinema setups in recent years, and fans of Grease ought to get involved before it’s gone for good – despite its few shortcomings.
Get your tickets to Grease: The Live Experience now.
