Mark Whittle (@markvsmedia) gets enthusiastic about next Saturday’s Sneaky Experience 2nd Birthday Celebration …
I always wanted to be a detective when I was a kid. Unfortunately an inherent dislike of conflict means that this is a career probably best left to those more suitable. I’ve never seen Poirot confront the villain with “If it’s okay with you I’d like strongly to infer that it was you sir who murdered the Lord of the manor, and now if you don’t mind I’d like to pop these little handcuffs on you. Is that too tight? Gosh these things are fiddly … why don’t we just shake hands on it, like gentlemen?” Luckily Sneaky Experience allows me to indulge the Colombo aspect of my personality, avoid any interaction with moustache twirling evil-doers – and they even chuck a film viewing into the bargain.
Sneaky Experience aims to take the humble film screening and turn it into a fully interactive experience by marrying the venue, entertainment, food and drink to the genre and themes of the chosen film. At some point I’m pretty sure we’ve all made our own basic attempts at this, and by and large recreating some aspect of the film in real life really adds an extra dimension to watching an old classic. I will admit however that my ill-fated interactive Deer Hunter screening of 2006 was perhaps a step too far.
Previous Sneaky experiences have included the original Nosferatu at the Left Bank accompanied by a live organ, and Raiders of the Lost Arc at Temple Works which included Indiana Jones on horseback chasing a group of soldiers with the Ark through Holbeck.
This Saturday marks Sneaky’s second birthday and there’s a distinctly 80s vibe to the celebrations although what this ultimately means no-one but the masterminds at Sneaky Experience know. This air of mystery is perhaps the best aspect of Sneaky Experience and what really attracts me to the event – everything’s a secret.
Clues to the location, the film screened and the entertainment on offer are slowly drip fed via Facebook, Twitter and assignments from S.E.R.C. Ah yes, S.E.R.C. or the Sneaky Experience Recruitment Centre. Upon purchasing your tickets you will periodically receive assignments from S.E.R.C. some which will provide more clues as to what’s going on and others which will enable you to identify fellow S.E.R.C. members. It’s all exciting stuff and is a great of way to get people talking (in hushed corners) and anticipating the actual night itself.
Entertainment announced for Saturday so far includes roller skating, an 80s Silent Disco, market traders selling 80s themed products and a make-up boutique. The Marvellous Tea Dance Company will also be there providing some retro 80s themed sweet treats, along with food stalls and a licensed bar complete with cocktail mixologist. Now what this means for the film on show I’m not saying, I’ve got my ideas but you do your own work.
The possibilities for this kind of night are endless (Caligula for the third birthday guys?) and are a great way to refresh your love of film if you’ve become jaded by the traditional cinema experience. You’ll have to excuse me now as think I think I’ve already said too much, the eyes of S.E.R.C. are ever-vigilant and I’ve spent too much on leather trousers for Saturday to risk their wrath now.
Sneaky Experience is taking place Prime Studios (TV Studios), 96 Kirkstall Road, Leeds. Doors open at 6.30 and the event ends at midnight. Tickets cost £13 or £55 for 5 (£11 each) from www.secretfilm.eventbrite.co.uk