Secret Cinema has cancelled the opening night of its most ambitious project yet, an immersive screening of Back to the Future, just hours before the doors opened.
Ticket holders, many of whom had already made their way to the Hackney venue dressed for the event, were left furious after the organisers announced the cancellation on Twitter just 90 minutes before the performance was due to start.
The tweet read: "URGENT: Tonight's Secret Cinema presents Back to the Future performance is CANCELLED. All tickets holders will receive an email with more …"
The preview performance on Wednesday was also cancelled without explanation.
The last-minute cancellation prompted more than 270 comments on the organisation's Facebook page, including one that read: "We have travelled from the Isle of Wight with our two young children, paid for (and are in!) our hotel for the night. We can't afford to do this again!!! Will you be paying for our travel and accommodation on an alternative night?"
Another read: "REALLY? My party and I have taken a day off work to prepare for this event, we've taken holiday allowance, spent money on clothes, train tickets, everything, not even mentioning the £55 per ticket price. In return you provide us with ONE HOUR notice that the shit has hit the fan? You are out of order. Do you think a simple 'please re book another date' is adequate compensation?"
In a statement, Secret Cinema did not explain the full reasons behind the last minute cancellation, but apologised to ticket holders.
"Due to extenuating circumstances, Secret Cinema is unable to receive guests at tonight's show of Secret Cinema presents Back to the Future" the statement read. "We are devastated to make this announcement and sincerely apologise for having to announce it at this late a stage. We are working tirelessly to ensure that this spectacular event will go ahead tomorrow evening."
Fabien Riggall, the founder of Secret Cinema, also made a personal apology for the sudden cancellation, adding: "We are devastated to have to make this announcement and we appreciate everyone who has made plans for tonight's event. We are doing everything we possibly can."
Tickets for the event had cost £53, with attendees promised a fully immersive and interactive cinema experience. There were 66,000 tickets on sale for the series of summer screenings of the cult time travel film, with 17,000 selling in the first four minutes.
Many took to Twitter to vent their frustration. Craig Laycock tweeted: "Back to the Future Secret Cinema cancelled for opening night. Angry, especially on behalf of flatmate's sis who flew in from Germany."
Another added; "I'm sat in an overpriced hotel room in London seething with rage at @secretcinema."
The organisers added: "We are working tirelessly to make sure that this spectacular event will go ahead on Friday evening. We will be in touch at 11am tomorrow morning with a further statement for all attending guests.
"For those who were due to attend tonight's opening night, we understand that this is hugely disappointing and we are offering you to come back on another show night. We guarantee all ticket holders that their tickets will be re-allocated to one of the below dates, and that all will be given their first choice to reschedule."
Secret Cinema was first launched in 2007 with a one-off screening of Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park, bringing the film to life in an underground tunnel for 400 people. The popularity of the immersive experience, however, means it has recently expanded its operations, including a live theatrical production around Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel for an audience of thousands.
In a recent interview discussing the Back to the Future screenings, Riggall said: "When we first started doing the bigger shows it was harder to keep the level of interactivity. But I am really confident that this time we're going to nail it."
