Emma Rice's Brief Encounter was first staged over ten years ago and has been acclaimed in its travels since then. It returns to the Art Deco Empire cinema, in Haymarket, London for a season until 2nd September. When it first appeared it was an imaginative unique combination of a cinematic and theatrical experience but since then we have seen the development of Secret Cinema as an annual event in London, which makes this combination so brilliantly immersive, and the broadcast of live theatre to cinemas all around the country.
There is a logic to the use of the Empire cinema which has been dressed for the show in red carpet and roses and fits as a venue that Laura and Alec might have visited in their illicit afternoon meetings. However, the long stairs up to the auditorium or down to the toilets makes the venue less accessible and makes it less than ideal for the older audience who this title might appeal to.
