REVIEW - OPERATION BLACK DOOR - CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS -

Travel back in time, become a secret agent, and complete missions that will change the outcome of the war – just a casual night out in London.

Operation Black Door is an exciting new immersive experience taking place at the Churchill War Rooms. Put on by the immersive theatre company Wet Picnic, participants take on the role of special agents during WWII who have a series of five tasks to complete. It is aided by a user-friendly app created just for this – be sure to download it beforehand and bring headphones. The experience lasts around 1 hour.

Upon entering the War Rooms, you are greeted by very enthusiastic scientists who brief everyone on what is going to happen for the next hour. They introduced us to C.I.G.G.Y., the database where we upload all of the information we gain after accomplishing our missions. Before traveling back to the 1940s, we were told to blend in by putting our shoulders back and clenching (everyone was perpetually clenched during the war as these were very tense times). It was important to act natural because we would run into ‘echoes’ – memories, or imprints, of agents who worked within the war rooms.

Operation Black Door is the most organised immersive event I have been to. The app aided this; we were given a map and clear instructions of the tasks to complete, which were read to us. The tasks were not too difficult but still gave us a good sense of accomplishment. We had to solve codes, steal security badges, and scan documents. It was doubly exciting because it is also an opportunity to see the War Rooms. We were free to mill about and see the exhibitions. Needless to say, it made the immersive aspect of the experience very, very convincing.

If there were actors walking about, they were sure to engage with us. I really appreciated this because I didn’t have to go out of my way to engage with them, which can sometimes be intimidating. The highlight of the experience for me was workshopping Operation Mincemeat with two ‘intelligent intelligence’ officers. While workshopping, we stealthily moved about the rooms. The actors were hilarious, springing into acting ‘normal’ (walking funnily and humming) whenever another actor or participant passed.

Operation Black Door was on July 7th-9th, and I am thrilled for it to be back September 22nd-24th. I highly recommend it for a fun experience!

{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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