Secret Theatre Show 3 at the Lyric Hammersmith

The Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith is currently staging a series of productions under the heading of Secret Theatre, the idea being that the plays are kept completely secret until lights-up. For that reason, we will give very little away!

What can to be said however is that Secret Theatre – a group of actors, writers, designers and directors – creates multiple, high-quality productions, each one with its own genre, style and message, to be performed alternately over a fortnight-long run. The sole underlying theme is that all audiences know nothing about what they’ll be seeing, and that takes some courage – especially if you’re going to charge £15 for the privilege.

With such a wide-ranging audience of curious theatre-goers wanting something different, Secret Theatre gives itself the tough job of trying to please everyone, and Show 3 doesn’t fail. Directed by Sean Holmes, artistic director at the Lyric, and written by Caroline Bird, Show 3 is dark, emotive and hilarious. Somewhere between a farce and a drama, the production has an unsurmisable quality to it that makes it impossible to describe to people who weren’t present. No wonder it’s kept a secret.  

At just over 90 minutes long without an interval, Secret Theatre gives its audience an intense, immersive experience. The plot unfolds thick and fast and boundlessly towards its climax – a climax that you don’t expect and are not prepared for, but in a good way. The group are not afraid of their unwitting audiences and boldly set out to break perceptions of ordinary theatre with humour, fear and unexpected turns. Even if you do not necessarily ‘like’ the subject matter you’ll be gripped. 

Laura Tucker

Secret Theatre: Show 3 is at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith until 5^th November 2013. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch the trailer for Secret Theatre here: