Social media storm in wake of Secret Cinema's Back to the Future shambles

Angry ticketholders have had immersive film company Secret Cinema wishing for a time-travelling DeLorean following the announcement that they had cancelled the first night of their Back to the Future screenings on Thursday. The announcement that all shows until next Thursday 31 July are now also cancelled has only increased the social media fury.

On Facebook, ticket holder to last night's event, Matthew Bowen, pleaded: "Please take this seriously. We literally came from Cambodia and won't be around for rescheduled tickets. After arriving at hackney wick with our hearts set on having the best night of our lives, we are now sat like lemons in a bar, paying for expensive drinks, drying each other's tears with our sweet purpose bought (expensive) 50s threads."

Before it was confirmed that tonight's screening was off, the promised 11am statement, posted on the group's Facebook page, said only this: "To all our audience, we have been working urgently through the night to resolve the issues on site. We will have a detailed statement for you very soon. Thank you for your patience."

To which one angry fan, Simon Alexander Gilbert, clearly frustrated by the event's bells and whistles, replied:

"If you decide to announce that this is going ahead tonight, I'm not dressing up, I'm not printing and bringing all this crap that you've asked for, and I'm turning up in a fucking raincoat with a flask of scotch and a pack of digestives…"

Andy Bendall was similarly derisive about the fiasco:

"Okay folks, leaving now in full costume. I'm not allowed my phone, so please inform me about whether it's actually happening by one of the following options;

1. Carrier pigeon
2. Massive smoke signal (white for yes)
3. ESP
4. Chinese whispers up the m40 to Birmingham
5. Shout really really loudly

Ta!"

The organisation said it had "no choice" but to cancel the screenings. But, in a statement sent to the press, the "number of difficult issues" for the cancellation remain opaque.

Amid claims that the site, and notably the iconic clock tower, remain unfinished, organisers have responded: "The site is finished and looking spectacular and we are working around the clock to ensure that all issues are ironed out as soon as possible in order to give ticket holders an amazing night."

The social media reactions of the not-so-lucky ticket holders to the ongoing debacle have ranged from the livid – plenty of selfies with flipped birds – to the lyrical.

Here's a round-up:

Over on Facebook, Matthew J Pollard says: "When this baby tries to sell 88000 tickets you are going to see some serious shit."

And George Humphreys is not a happy bunny: "Oh my god! I've had to turn around and head back! I was on the train so I didn't get further than the last cartridge. I waited for the next station and tried to get off but such was my fury I fell clean over and bumped my head quite hard. I'm very angry now. It's all just so wet and I want to go home but I'm now waiting in Slough (yes, Slough), I have a bruised head and people keep pointing and laughing because I'm wearing a full 1950's polka dot dress!"

Lots of people have been getting meta, with or without Secret Cinema's help

Sion Morris on Facebook aced it on the meta front: "But if my parents don't meet tonight at Secret Cinema then I'll never be born and I'll never finish writing th…"

Paul Elms will be in touch in his own time…

While Schteeve's being contemplative…

Although ticket holders are being offered tickets to another date, or a full refund, many clearly remain unimpressed.