Secret Cinema defends summer 2021 project after backlash

Secret Cinema has insisted its planned Dirty Dancing event in London will “leave a positive legacy”, following complaints from the community about noise pollution, potential coronavirus transmission and green space being hijacked.

The company – which aims to bring movie classics to life in immersive experiences – is set to stage an event based around the much-loved 1987 Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey film this summer.

The proposed site is Low Hall sports ground in Walthamstow, East London, and the event would be held on many dates in July, August and September.

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The proposals have been met with a backlash because people living in the area are worried it will create a lot of noise and will “hijack” the playing fields, meaning children can’t use them. There are also concerns about whether it might be a risk amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But The Guardian reported that Secret Cinema has defended the plans and said that it would invest in local businesses.

Chief executive Max Alexander said local schools would be invited to use the site in the daytime. He also said the company was planning to give away 1,500 free tickets to the event to residents.

“We put places on the map and then other businesses come in our wake,” he said. “We are itinerant but we leave a positive legacy with the people we engage with.”

In total, 138 people objected to the firm’s application to use the space, according to The Waltham Forest Echo.

The publication quoted community member Sarah Eastwood as saying: “The local population has a choice normally about whether we decide to attend high-risk places but these events take that choice away because they are coming to us.

“Secret Cinema is importing massive risks to our community, they will leave no positive legacy and they will hijack and damage our public land.”

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She claimed that while Secret Cinema would make a profit, “we, the community, will be paying the price”.

Community member Isla Johns claimed the plans “would make the space unusable for local children” throughout the summer holidays.

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