Mike Clewley, Cultural Tourism Officer at the Greater London Authority (GLA) introduces his pick of immersive performances in London:

As Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world’s a stage” so why should we confine theatre to traditional venues? London is home to a variety of incredible immersive experiences to enjoy whether you’re looking to dine out or just watch a film.

You may already be aware of this summer’s exciting new production from Punchdrunk and the National Theatre but if you’re the type of person who likes surprises and wants to be part of the experience, as well as being able to tell your friends “you’ll never guess what I did in London!”, then read on.

Secret Cinema

This is the closest you can get to immersing yourself in the fantasy world portrayed within a film without actually being on the screen. Hot off the heels of past successes including the Shawshank Redemption, Lawrence of Arabia and Bugsy Malone (including a massive custard pie fight), Secret Cinema continues to take London theatre, and its audience, to strange, new places.

Holding true to their mantra of “Tell No One”, you won’t know what you’re in for until you’re there, but this summer’s event promises to be intriguingly G.O.O.D.

Fawlty Towers – The Dining Experience

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to spend the evening dining with famous comic characters, now’s your chance. You can relive the legendary 70s British comedy Fawlty Towers in person with Basil, Sybil and Manuel in this theatrical dining experience like no other. Its set menu includes Duck “Surprise” (chicken) but no Waldorf Salad unfortunately. However, if you like your food served with chaos and hilarity then: bon appetit!

The Ginger Line

There are some great pop-up restaurants in London but The Ginger Line also serves up artists, chefs and actors for one of London’s most unique dining experiences. Adventurous diners make their way to a secret location (always on the East London Overground line, which is ginger coloured, hence the name) and are treated to a mix of theatre, cabaret and cocktails to meet new friends over fantastic food and new surroundings. Look out for the next The Ginger Line event this summer.

Mike Clewley is Cultural Tourism Officer for the Mayor of London: “I’m in a very privileged position to represent the kaleidoscope of culture on offer in this great city. I’m passionate about history, art, music, film and discovering those moments in life that will make you go “wow!”. I love the fact that London is so difficult to sum up and why it’s so great but that’s what makes it the best city on the planet”.

Yesterday one of the most closely guarded secrets in theatreland has been revealed: the location of Punchdrunk’s new show. The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable will take place in the largest space the innovative theatre company have ever taken over: a massive empty building next door to Paddington Station. Subject to licensing and planning permission, Punchdrunk will transform 31 London Street into the forgotten world of Temple Studios for its latest immersive theatrical experience. The show has also extended its London run to 31 December with 50,000 extra tickets now on sale.

Next up, great news for fans of the multi-award winning The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time. The National’s hit show has extended its booking period at the Apollo Theatre to October 2014, releasing an additional 250,000 tickets for the celebrated show. If you haven’t done so yet, book tickets to see it now! It’s a fantastic piece of feel-good theatre, with a real star at the centre of its cast in Luke Treadaway.

London’s theatre offering also expanded today with the opening of a brand new theatre in Finsbury Park. The Park Theatre is run by artistic director Jez Bond, and the first performance will be Melanie Marnich’s These Shining Lives, starting this week. Like last year’s new arrival, the St James theatre in Victoria, there are two spaces in the venue: a 200-seat theatre and a flexible 90-seat space. The Park Theatre will operate as a charity, relying on local support to keep it running. If you’re in the area – pop in! There’s a bar and a café inside too.

And speaking of the St James Theatre, I have news of their latest show. The American Plan is a transfer from Theatre Royal Bath, and will open at the Victoria venue in July. Richard Greenberg’s 1960s-set play is a tale of broken dreams, twisted motives and deceit. It stars Diana Quick as an overbearing mother intent on controlling her daughter’s life.

Finally, this year’s Greenwich+Docklands international theatre festival line-up has been announced. Organised by Bradley Hemmings, one of the team responsible for last year’s Paralympic Opening Ceremony, the festival will feature the best UK and international performers to streets, parks and public spaces in and around Greenwich. If you like immersive, unusual and eclectic performance, then make sure you’re in London between 21 to 29 June. And best of all, it’s all free!

Christmas London Theatre News

Is it too soon to get excited about the festive season in London? Perhaps. But if you’re the type of person who loves to plan ahead, you might fancy putting one of the following into the very end of your 2013 diary:

• Slava’s Snowshow returns to the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre for the third year running in December. The award-winning production, which mixes theatrical clowning and stunning visuals, will hit the venue just in time to create a white Christmas, playing from 17 December to 5 January
• And this week’s other Christmas announcement is that the legendary Henry Winkler will play Hook in Peter Pan at the Richmond Theatre from 6 December. Start practising your booing now!

Firstly: Wicked fans can rejoicify! The show has reached its 6th birthday today. One of my favourite West End shows, Wicked seems like such a fantastic fixture in the West End, I thought it might’ve been around for longer. If you haven’t seen this great musical yet, you should book now! Here’s to the next six years…

The second piece of exciting news is from the Gielgud Theatre, looking ahead to next year. From 15 February, Helen Mirren will be starring in Peter Morgan’s new play The Audience at the venue. The play examines one of the most fascinating meetings in British public life; the weekly discussion between the Queen and the Prime Minister. From Winston Churchill to David Cameron, The Audience imagines what might have been said in those pivotal meetings over the years, the confessions and questions from Prime Ministers, and the advice, suggestions and occasional teasing offered by the Queen. This will be Mirren’s second time playing the monarch; she won an Oscar, Golden Globe and a BAFTA for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in Morgan’s silver screen offering The Queen.

Finally, if you’re thinking ahead to Christmas, there’s an exciting-sounding new Punchdrunk show coming to East London’s Discover Children’s Story Centre from 29 November. Called The House Where Winter Lives, the show will transform the Stratford venue’s basement into a “magical frozen forest” for the delight of three to six year-olds.

London Theatre Cast News:

• Downton Abbey’s Matt Milne joins the cast of Tennessee Williams’ The Hotel Plays in a unique staging at the Grange Holborn Hotel from 4 October
• Actor and comedian Julian Barratt, best known for appearing opposite Noel Fielding in The Mighty Boosh, is appearing in the Royal Court’s NSFW from 25 October.