I attended secretive play loved by A-listers – I met Prem ace and TV stars who were left ‘shaking’ by ‘head f**k’ show
WHILE there is very little that the form I signed allows me to say, I can confirm that You Me Bum Bum Train is an interactive play, where the audience join in – and quite frankly it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.
And the fact that all those who see it are sworn to secrecy really is the beauty of the show, which is made up of more than 600 volunteers.
Revealing exactly what happens takes away the magic — and gives audience members too much advance knowledge of what they might experience.
As an interactive and immersive “experience” rather than a predetermined story, the show involves the audience from the get-go.
Over 45 minutes, we are asked to engage in a variety of wild and wonderful scenarios, some more testing than others.
Previous attendees have spoken of being whisked out of their comfort zone and made to act and think in ways they may have never done before.
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Radio 2 host Rylan called the experience “life-changing”.
In earlier performances of the show, which first appeared in 2004, audience members have been asked to prepare veg in a restaurant kitchen, lead an exercise class or give a lecture on a painting they had never seen before.
One was asked to conduct a real-life orchestra.
The show last popped up in London in 2016, with Madonna and Harry both letting slip that they had taken part.
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After a short run, it quietly disappeared.
But last November it returned, and now it will run until May 2 — with hordes of celebs and regular punters battling for tickets.
The successful ones include Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Ellie Goulding, Sacha Baron Cohen and Ant and Dec, while I’m told Katy Perry even hired a jet to the UK to take part earlier this year — and got so into one scene that she ended up crowd-surfing.
The current run saw 120,000 people apply for tickets in their first minute of release — that’s more than for Glastonbury.
With fewer than 100 “guests” attending each show, it’s harder to get a ticket to the Bum Bum Train than for the big Oasis reunion.
Ironically, though, I’m told Liam Gallagher turned down the chance to catch the Train earlier this year — though his brother Noel jumped at the opportunity.
And while I can imagine there must be some internal pride at some of the biggest names in the world fighting for tickets to their show, I understand Bum Bum Train creators Kate Bond and Morgan Lloyd have zero interest in landing celebrity supporters.
For them, it’s about creating lasting art and an experience like no other.
They also pride themselves on helping to foster a sense of community and friendship for the volunteers taking part — with many learning a skill for the first time.
I can personally say that they have achieved this, and then some.
Some guests even say they have rediscovered their sense of joy and life after attending the show.
I’m told one who suffered from cancer said the hour of the show was the first time they had been able to forget their illness.
Initially, I was told I couldn’t reveal any of the guests who were at my evening’s performance, but since then some have posted about their attendance online.
Minutes after I walked into the disused office block where the show takes place, I saw Alan Carr and Amanda Holden, and later casually crossed paths with Rylan and England footie ace Declan Rice.
Rylan has said of the show: “It has changed my life. It was the most incredible thing I have ever done, I think ever.”
At the end of the evening, Amanda said: “I’ve gone a bit shaky on the knees.” But just what had made her like that I don’t know — and if I did, I couldn’t say.
That’s the beauty of the show — no one knows for certain who will be there or what is in store.
The night before I was due to attend, I was reminded of the very strict rules when it comes to booze.
An email read: “Anyone suspected of consuming ANY alcohol or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be admitted. Refunds will not be provided in such circumstances.”
Though I had not touched a drop in days, I was asked several times if I had drunk that day before my experience began.
I’m also told show bosses have been known to request a breathalyser for any “questionable” guests.
In 2016, one guest risked the wrath of show bosses by later describing their encounter with Prince Harry at one performance.
They said at the time: “Can’t believe my family were raving/crowd surfing with Prince Harry last night.”
Sources tell The Sun Harry filmed an introduction video for show volunteers in which he brands the night “a head f***”.
And in January, The Sun revealed that James Corden and other A-list stars had secretly been starring in the play — though again I’m sworn to secrecy about their roles.
It’s safe to say you get out of the show what you put in. Unaware and apprehensive about what to expect, I decided to just allow myself to “fall through it”.
Admittedly, I was in a vulnerable state — my cat had just died that morning and my partner had dumped me two weeks earlier.
But I fully immersed myself in every aspect of the evening, taking in the wonder and magic of a real-life Wonderland.
I can happily say that for those 45 minutes, the outside world no longer mattered.
No, on second thoughts, it didn’t just not matter, it didn’t exist.
The whole experience was one of the most freeing and liberating of my life.
Looking back, it’s like a dream — the events are not so much a blur, but so surreal that I have to question whether most of it even happened.
But even if some of it was just going on inside my head, who is to say that makes it any less real?
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This pure joy that is currently taking place several times a week at a secret London location is certainly real.
And if by some miracle you find yourself with access to a ticket, you would be a fool to turn it down.