Last Updated on February 16, 2022
Money Heist plots a new heist in London
Are you a fan of Netflix’s Money Heist aka La Casa de Papel? You’re in luck because Lisbon is recruiting you onto a new heist in London, where you’ll have to follow The Professor’s latest plan and infiltrate the vault to earn a spot in the gang. Co-produced by Netflix and Fever, Money Heist: The Experience is a high-energy theatrical event featuring a unique storyline that is parallel to the show.
The Money Heist experience starts off with checking into Pennington’s auction house on 79-85 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LD. The front of house is fully staffed with a person checking you in and giving colour-coded wristbands to mark your entry time. You are then advised to check-in your belongings into the cloakroom and use the toilets because there are no breaks during the experience. You are allowed to keep your phone and wallet on your person but you’re not allowed to use them. Apparently, if you are caught using your phone, it will be confiscated.
The spacious waiting area is nicely decorated with art on the walls and a timer that counts down until the next auction begins. There’s also a water cooler, and I was definitely nervously gulping down a few small cups as I waited for the experience to start. A staff member then calls out everyone with a certain wristband colour and tells them the rules of the experience. It’s comparable to the pre-experience of a Disneyland ride, very structured, timed to the minute and designed to be a prelude to having a fun experience.
My group, which was 16 people, viewed the auction at 8.20 pm. Each person was given a headset to listen to the descriptions of each item up for sale. The set looked quite believable with “expensive” items of art on display. I would say that if I filmed the experience, you probably wouldn’t know if the item was real or fake. Similar to the Money Heist series, The Professor will get in touch with you in one way or another. It won’t be the face or voice of Alvaro Morte though, but it will definitely be in the character of how The Professor does it – precise, planned to the last detail and pre-emptive.
During the auction, I was assigned a task and successfully managed to obtain the information that I needed to obtain. At some point, the heist begins and the gang members appear accompanied by some genuine screaming in our group. Although Lisbon doesn’t appear, she does communicate with the gang via a video feed and delivers crucial information regarding the plan. As a hostage, you are now fully privy to the behind the scenes drama that goes on in a heist. Tensions rise, trust is tested and you have a plan but you don’t know what’s really going to happen next – just like in the Money Heist series.
The fun bit is when you get to choose your city name and don the red jumpsuits, just like the hostages do in the series. I chose London, unimaginative as I’m told by a cast member, all in good spirits. There were two Chelmsfords in our group which made it slightly comical at times.
After choosing the city names, my group began to follow The Professor’s plan and just like in the series, the gang dynamics gets tense at times. There’s also a lot of scurrying around and there is one part that can get slightly physical, so make sure you’re not wearing high heels. Unfortunately, not everyone will get to wear the masks, but some lucky people in the group might be able to, but I can’t say more without spoiling the experience.
The immersive element is superb as the set, lighting and sound all come together with the acting to make you feel like you’re really in a heist. The only giveaway is that safety protocols are being practised. For example, the actors can’t hurt you or deliberately cause you distress.
The escape game element is also fun but the tasks are designed to be done quickly to reflect a sense of urgency, so the level of difficulty is not that hard. The challenge is doing them with time pressure and an ever-increasing heart rate as tensions rise. The cast members will split up the group and task everyone with something to do so there is never a dull emotional moment.
If you complete the challenge and get to the vault, you will be exiting to the tune of Bella Ciao, sung many times by the robbers in the Money Heist series, into a bar with cocktail drinks named after the original Money Heist characters priced at £10 each.
My first companion ordered The Professor, a cocktail that included syrup, chocolate and bitters. It was very strong but also quite unique, just like the character. My second companion ordered a Tokyo, which tasted fruity, spicy and bitter at the same time. I got a non-alcoholic Palermo for myself, which tasted sweet and salty at the same time. They also have some crisps if you get hungry after all that heist action.
You’ll also get an opportunity to pose with the gold haul you’ve worked so hard to get in your red jumpsuits. It’s definitely a heist I’ll never forget.
Money Heist The Experience
until 27 February 2022
From £48
Times: Friday 5 pm to 8.20 pm, Saturday from 12 pm to 8 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm
Duration: 60 to 75 minutes
Location: 79-85 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3LD, London
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