Review: Secret Cinema Presents William Shakespeare's ROMEO + JULIET

It's that time of year again. Commuters watch and wonder, as waves of people cram onto their rush hour trains. You can spot them a mile off, thanks to their lightsabers, corsets and this year, blindingly bright Hawaiian shirts. It can only mean one thing: Secret Cinema is taking over London.

Just a few weeks after Blade Runner - The Final Cut wowed audiences, Secret Cinema presents William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet. A night of music, mischief and Queen Mab, come seek happy nights and celebrate a summer of (brawling) love.

Taking place in a secret location, Secret Cinema has gone full festival in their latest immersive night out. Recreating the world of Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, it's as vivid and beautiful as their take on his Moulin Rouge last year. As part of the experience, phones are sealed in bags upon entry (though there are some photo ops before going in, for those wanting to capture some of the beauty).

Outdoors, under the stars and armed with Glastonbury's PA system, there's plenty of music and dancing in the moonlight to be had. Fortunately for us, no rain fell; on other nights though, the heavens did lour upon them. So much so in fact that one performance was cancelled (at poorly short notice).

Your immersion into this world starts before the night itself. Attendees are sorted into one of two households (both alike in dignity, mind): Montague or Capulet. These dedicated online worlds also reveal your character, what to wear, and the latest goings-on in Verona.

On the night, each house has different bases you can frequent to find your allies (or taunt your foes). But young hearts run free, and whether you're a Montague or a Capulet, you have the freedom to go where you like and explore the whole world for yourself.

Keep an eye out for familiar faces from the film and stick close to them. Do try and talk to everyone though. We ended up getting tips off shop keepers for where to head next (all delivered in Shakespearean prose and verse). Though their previous world ofBack to the Future felt bigger, grander, here it's just little details like this that make the experience more effective.

And when I say talk to everyone, I mean it. The theme of the night is one of peace, a day of truce being called between the two houses. Fittingly, more than any other Secret Cinema event I've attended before, audience members were actually talking to one another (and not just because some of the costumes were too convincing!)

As daylight burns, the houses assemble side by side to watch the film, presented in Secret Cinema's accustomed style and spectacle. And much like at a festival, the buzz is in the air for this final act.

Some mouth along the famous speeches, while others endure their friends doing so (apologies, Claire!) Screams of adoration for the beautiful, un-aging wonder that is Paul Rudd resound, only drowned out by calls of "Julietttttttt" and responses of "Rommmmmeooo" (the new "Alan, Steve").

Young hearts, run and get your tickets for a fun night of 90's nostalgia. For never was a story of more woah, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Secret Cinema presents William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet until 25 August

Read our interviews with Secret Cinema Founder Fabien Riggall and Creative Director Matt Bennett

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