Forum Topic

Secret at Gunnersbury????

I've just returned from Gunnersbury park having not been there since the Love Box festival. Can anyone explain what is going on now? I was told by a guy on the gate that he couldn't talk about it and to email community secret event.com.He did tell me it would be going on til the end of the month!!!

Jane Ansell ● 2966d10 Comments

I believe it’s Secret Cinema.https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/secret-cinema-given-permission-stage-14659104

Sam Pollard ● 2966d

Thanks, I’ve just looked it up and seen that. It’s going to be on until September. It takes up a huge part of the park and we’ve already had the love box festival taking over the place for a good few weeks. I do not remember being asked about this. The disruption it will cause for the whole of the month pf August is upsetting but I’m guessing someone is benefiting from it all.

Jane Ansell ● 2966d

These events subsidise the running of the whole park including the museum. The money from the two councils isn't enough to run the park with out these commercial activities.

Neil Chippendale ● 2965d

Secret Cinema are doing a performance of Romeo + Juliet (the Baz Luhrmann film)If anyone isn't aware of Secret Cinema, it is an "immersive" cinema experience, so people are asked to come dressed in the style of characters in the film, they create a set reflecting the film, then before the actual showing, actors play out small set pieces broadly related to the film.  At times during the showing itself, there are actors off-screen playing out scenes to support the on-screen action.The set has lots of places to eat and drink so if you want you can ignore all the immersive stuff, have some food and drink, watch the film and leave!

Mike Robinson ● 2965d

... also if anyone hasn't seen the Baz Luhrmann Romeo + Juliet, it is set in the Los Angeles style location of "Verona Beach" and the Montagues and Capulets are rival gangs.So character style is likely to be gangster rap, LA street gangs rather than ruffles and corsets!

Mike Robinson ● 2965d

"These events subsidise the running of the whole park including the museum. The money from the two councils isn't enough to run the park with out these commercial activities."I think we get that Neil - BUT- and it is a big but - there is a balance to be struck before commercial interests and the lure of so much money overtake the interests of the ordinary park user who just wants to enjoy a large green space which after all was the original purpose.

Vanessa Smith ● 2965d

I agree, but , and this is my opinion, if you want a modern museum and associated add on such as restored gardens etc you have to commercialize the park.

Neil Chippendale ● 2965d

“there is a balance to be struck before commercial interests and the lure of so much money overtake the interests of the ordinary park user who just wants to enjoy a large green space which after all was the original purpose”When Ealing and Acton bought the park in the 1920s they converted the open field into 22 football pitches, turned the fenced stock field into a golf course and the round fish pond into a boating lake, they laid tarmac surface tennis courts and fenced off a “private” grass court on the meadows, built a cricket pavilion and pitch on the lower field, rented out the open space for events such as the Metropolitan Police Horse Show and an air show, and did all this (and more) on plans that the income from sports and events rentals would cover the costs of maintaining the park. After the first, failed, public inquiry into the proposal they would not have been able to convince their voters (many of whom objected to the burden on the rates) if they had only wanted it as a large green space.So there has always been a balance to be struck between a large green space and fees and charges. I would add that what matters now is how well income-earning activities can fit into the park, and how well the various activities are managed to preserve enjoyment for all.

James Wisdom ● 2961d

I understand the financial aspect and recognise that the park needs to be funded, however I just feel very disappointed that I am no longer able to use the park comfortably as I always have done. The last time I went there I found myself walking beside the screened off large field, which makes the footpath dark and closed in, and I encountered a man who was clearly up to no good. I felt incredibly vulnerable and afraid, which the 1st time ever in that park.Will not return there now until all the events have packed off and moved out.

Jane Ansell ● 2961d

They have kept this so secret I'd be surprised if anyone had gone.;-)

Keith Iddon ● 2959d