Secret Cinema presents Casino Royale review ★★★★★

It’s difficult to imagine two worlds colliding better than those of Secret Cinema and Casino Royale. Both covert operations rely on the precise skill of their agents, the opulence of their landscapes and the danger in their entertainment.

Since launching in 2007, the grass-roots screenings have grown into staggering theatrical productions and the 12 years of cross-medium creativity feeds into Casino Royale. The show, like many of its predecessors, begins with a mission, but it’s the first time this mission feels essential. Guests are given strict instructions, both to follow their individual operation and to interact with the people around them.

These people are dressed in swathes of silk and well-fitted tuxedoes – everyone at the grand reopening of Casino Royale has dressed to impress. Actors are unafraid and unshakeable: granted, they are employed to entertain and challenge every next casual punter, but in the world of James Bond it’s particularly thrilling to try and scrutinise just how many layers are going into these performances.

© Secret Cinema - Luke Dyson

Dedication and ambition are the two driving forces of the evening, a heart-racing journey through airport lounges connecting glamorous international destinations. The pre-screening activities warm up the atmosphere of the film: a mysterious narrative raises its own stakes with well-drawn characters and explosive plot developments; decadent food, drink, music and detailed décor bring the plot to life around you.

At times, this adventure seems better suited to a full-day theme park experience and can almost seem too much to handle in such a short amount of time before settling in for the film. Many guests may choose to skip the screening to keep drinking and discovering the different areas of the innovative environment, ready to accommodate and inspire until the very end.

But the screening also packs its own punch, with performers rolling in and out onto the stage to enhance the viewing experience. Expect the same level of theatrics as your finest circus performers from the Edinburgh Fringe, but prepare yourself for frequently overwhelming technical tricks too.

© Secret Cinema - Luke Dyson

While the film might seem like a less inspiring choice for a 4D experience than previous Secret Cinema titles, the showstopping interactive elements consistently deliver.

There’s always more to discover lurking in the shadows. No two guests at Secret Cinema presents Casino Royale will leave having completed the same mission. On the journey home from the secret London location, we exchange a knowing glance with the other passengers clutching their souvenirs from around the world.

It’s advised to trust no one, but reassuring to know Secret Cinema can still be relied on for a starry-eyed experience that all other immersive performances in London still struggle to match.