Harbottle & Lewis has advised its long-standing client Secret Group Limited, the company behind Secret Cinema, on the sale by the company’s shareholders, led by Active Partners, to TodayTix Group. We advised the company on a number of legal aspects in the lead up to, and in connection with, the sale and are delighted to see Secret Group achieve this outcome.

The sale is strategically important as it will allow Secret Group to continue to develop its offering to fans both in the UK and abroad but with the backing and expertise of a cultural experience market leader in TodayTix.

Founded in 2007 by Fabien Riggall, backed since 2016 by consumer-focused investment firm Active Partners, Secret Group hosts immersive experiences which blend the boundary between performer and audience, film and reality. With over 70 productions to date, selling over 1 million tickets, Secret Cinema has created immersive worlds not only in London but also to fans in Shanghai and Los Angeles. Productions include Stranger Things, Casino Royale, Blade Runner, Back to the Future, Star Wars, Dirty Dancing, Arcane (League of Legends), Bridgerton and Alien. Secret Cinema’s first major collaboration with Disney, Guardians of the Galaxy, is currently showing in London.

Corporate partner Charlie Leveque led a Harbottle & Lewis team comprised of Senior Associate Ed Lane and Associate Thomas Connor.

On working with Harbottle & Lewis, Richard Mathews, a director of Secret Group commented: “Harbottle has advised Secret Group for many years and through many stages of its development. The combination of their corporate expertise and deep understanding of live events and intellectual property rights has made them ideal partners for Secret Group. But their value add goes far beyond the technical – they have always been responsive and a delight to work with; genuine partners.”