Wishmas

In a landmark year for Secret Cinema, Wishmas: A Fantastical Christmas Adventure shines a light on what the company are maybe hoping to produce in 2024.

The production originally planned for Wembley Park has now opened at The Vaults, taking the slot previously allocated to Arkham Rises, another immersive show - albeit with a very different audience in mind. Instead of heading deep into a scary asylum populated by figures from Batman’s rogues gallery, audiences can go on a journey tailormade for anklebiters and their very patient parents.

Secret Cinema may not have started off creating immersive theatre based around films but that is currently their stock in trade and - bar Punchdrunk - they are arguably the best known brand in that art form. Like their competitor, they too are looking to set up home in London and have applied for permission to use a bingo hall in Camden as their HQ. From old classics like Grease to modern marvels like Guardians Of The Galaxy, they are renowned for enveloping audiences in the film’s setting and characters. Wishmas, not being based on any previous IP, is therefore something of a departure.

And the differences don’t stop there. With no flick to show at the end, this is far more about the journey than the arrival. A promising start sees us arrive at the Old Bauble Factory entrance and have our picture taken before we are escorted into the Sorting Office where the wishes from all around the world arrive. Staffed by pointy-eared Wishkeepers helped out by Charlie Tymms’ puppet robin companions, this international elf service makes sure that Santa gets to hear what everyone wants for Christmas.

Designer Julie Landau has outdone herself creating a visual spectacle, aided by Beth Duke’s ethereal sound design and music. The wishes themselves are visualised as small pink globes that float around in the ether. In one section inside what appears to be a converted or reconstructed tube carriage, we take off from sunny London into the wide blue yonder; it’s a moment of literal escapism enabled by nifty screens and video designs as well as ebullient acting from the train’s conductor elf.

Thereafter follows a gentle promenade between rooms filled with very kiddy-friendly activities that will have rugrats squealing with joy. Eventually, we get to our final encounter with Santa Claus himself and we all sing The Snow Song together. It doesn’t end there though as the next two areas arguably are the very essence of the festive season: ugly capitalism in the Wishmas market where you can purchase from Fortnum & Mason et al then an opportunity for families to sit down and craft some baubles while making an unholy mess. Get stuck in.

Wishmas: A Fantastical Christmas Adventure continues until 7 January 2024.
Photo credit: Matt Crockett