Following queueing in the cold for a while, we were ushered into a room where a couple of actors dressed as inmates and prison guards interacted with as many people as possible. Unfortunately for them there were too many people to get around and it got boring quickly. Still, the actors got very into their parts and were entertaining to watch. Although, I was one of the more uncomfortable ones and tried everything I could to limit my time with them. Then we were forced to have our photo taken in a manner reminiscent of a police mugshot, which we were told we could purchase at the end. Spoiler alert: I didn’t.

Then the experience really started. In pretty large groups we were ushered into a courtroom and got to live through a brief rendition of Andy Dufresne’s trial. It was fun but a bit ‘blink and you’ll miss it’. Before any of us knew what was happening we were then forced down into the old cells in the town hall’s basement and locked-up for the night. Okay, were weren’t strictly locked in but we were in the dark in an old cell for at least 30 seconds. It was fun.

We were then sent up some stairs and outside onto the street. Here, a man dressed as a prison officer proceeded to shout at us as some very concerned pedestrians and restaurant patrons looked on. We were marched back inside and taken to a room… where we waited. The unlucky ones at the back waited for a long time but at least there was Jenga to keep them entertained. Fortunately, I got through quite quickly and, less than an hour after I was sent to prison, was facing my parole hearing. I had to answer one question, which I obviously did quite badly as I was rejected. Well, at least that confirms my suspicion that Morgan Freeman and I are quite alike.

Then, we had to wait in the screening room whilst the rest of the people made it through the experience. We weren’t one of the first but we still must have sat for about half an hour. It sure made me glad we’d turned up when we did. As the final groups made their way around, more of the actors from the proceeding sections turned up to cause havoc with the waiting patrons. The guards terrorised the people willing to get involved, the prisoners threatened the newcomers and Andy Dufresne himself handed out library books (actually he was incredibly attractive so I wouldn’t have minded some interaction there). Despite nothing much happening here there were some fun moments as the actors involved really got to go crazy with their characters. I was one of many who were closely followed back to their seat by an angry guard.

Whilst I ultimately enjoyed the whole experience I have to admit there was a lot more waiting around than I’d expected. Obviously there was a fuck load of people to get through the whole thing but there wasn’t a great deal to it. There were only about 4 stops on the whole tour and the interaction in each section was limited. It was fun, yes, but it could have been more substantial. I mean, the prisoner information form suggested we would have our fingerprints taken at some point but that never occurred. The price is pretty hefty and, I can see why. I was just left feeling that my money could have been put towards something greater. I didn’t need the shitty photobooth and felt that the money could have been used better.

I once saw a production of The Merchant of Venice in Lancaster castle where the action moved around the rooms using what the building had on offer. For example, the courtroom scene was set in the old courtroom. It was one of the best Shakespeare productions I’ve ever seen because you were fully immersed in the plot. I sort of expected Sneaky Experience to feel a bit more like that but it was just a bit of a lame duck in comparison. I mean there were scenes lifted straight from the film and acted out in real life but it just felt like something was missing. Something I realise isn’t fair as you’re freer with a play than a film. Still, part of me thinks Sneaky Experience would benefit from a smaller scale and a more personal experience.

Although, if the right film comes along I’ll definitely be up for another Sneaky Experience. It is something I won’t forget and gave me the chance to see a wonderful film. I’ve never seen Shawshank on a big screen and, as it’s still one of the best films ever made, I was able to experience it in a way I never had. It’s a beautiful film and well acted. The film is powerful, emotional and, ultimately, uplifting. Morgan Freeman is just outstanding and his chemistry with Robbins is great. My only possible criticism would be that it’s a tad long but that probably has more to do with how long I’d been sitting and waiting for it to start.