Make Belive - A Halloween Grotto - Review
A short fifteen minute walk from Brixton station is a Halloween experience like no other we have attended before. Located on a creepy, atmospheric alley behind a black gate (signposted, luckily), this event sets itself up well from the beginning. We followed the directions on the signs to enter the gate and wait around the ever-so-slightly spooky toilets to be greeted. The atmosphere was increased here due to the movement-sensitive lighting, resulting in an almost flickering effect that felt particularly Halloween-y. A very friendly gentleman came out to receive us, took our names, had us sign our waivers, and delivered a health and safety briefing. We would like to note that the health and safety has obviously been greatly considered for the audiences here, which is very much appreciated, especially when you’re in an effectively pitch-black space. Once all formalities were complete, our bags were removed (stored safely), and we were taken inside.
The first space you enter into is dark, very dark. You are handed a candle each only, and then left alone with the ominous words “Someone will get you soon.” Strange drawings adorn the walls, and an eerie voiceover plays as you admire them. The ambience is immediately effective, setting up an intriguing and slightly unsettling feeling. We don’t want to go into too much detail as to the rest of the content of the event and performances, as it may give away certain aspects of what made the experience so great and immersive. Relying solely on two actors, with a few different spaces you are led back and forth between, it’s a small show compared to many, but oh, so effective.
The show is based much more on psychological fear than pure jump-scares, which was applied exceptionally well. The idea of the piece is reigniting your inner child and letting go of your adult fears - a care-free childhood we left behind is dying and wants us to remember it. We found ourselves embracing our inner children, playing catch and throw games and pass-the-parcel. At first, there was a slight hesitation with the interactive games on our part due to a fear of overstepping (ironically), but once we realised we were being encouraged to play, we found ourselves really getting into it, and it was over almost too soon! We encourage anyone who attends this show to let themselves get into it - the more you put in, the more you get out.
We must also mention the performers - their vocal skills in particular are phenomenal. They knew how to push forward and pull back at the right times, making these strange, unsettling sounds. They were thoroughly believable, both alien and yet somewhat familiar at the same time, brilliant characters - if a little gross at one point!
There were moments of extremely well-built tension; a blindfolded trip to the loft where we exposed our fears was particularly effective. We found ourselves sitting there with a thumping heart and flipping stomach; thoroughly wonderful feelings for a Horror Fan. Later on, we were separated and had our own mini-experiences - and what they did in the place this individual reviewer ended up in really did make them jump! Something about the sensory work of this piece was astounding and gripping. Be prepared; you may get wet.
There may have been a couple of miniscule issues with the set decor, but that really doesn’t distract from the experience at all, and it certainly didn’t stop us from becoming thoroughly enthralled with it.
Moving through the dark, meeting strange characters who seem to know you but you’ve forgotten, questioning things about yourself - all leading to a finale that had me legitimately running out of the door.There’s something so unique and special about this experience, if you let yourself be involved with it. Embrace the psychological set-up and it really builds the fear and tension very well, and afterwards we could not stop babbling about how much we’d enjoyed it. Plus, you get a lovely Halloween goody bag to take home with you!
Highly recommend this experience for anyone looking for something unique and scary! We cannot wait to see what Scarehand do next!
The first space you enter into is dark, very dark. You are handed a candle each only, and then left alone with the ominous words “Someone will get you soon.” Strange drawings adorn the walls, and an eerie voiceover plays as you admire them. The ambience is immediately effective, setting up an intriguing and slightly unsettling feeling. We don’t want to go into too much detail as to the rest of the content of the event and performances, as it may give away certain aspects of what made the experience so great and immersive. Relying solely on two actors, with a few different spaces you are led back and forth between, it’s a small show compared to many, but oh, so effective.
The show is based much more on psychological fear than pure jump-scares, which was applied exceptionally well. The idea of the piece is reigniting your inner child and letting go of your adult fears - a care-free childhood we left behind is dying and wants us to remember it. We found ourselves embracing our inner children, playing catch and throw games and pass-the-parcel. At first, there was a slight hesitation with the interactive games on our part due to a fear of overstepping (ironically), but once we realised we were being encouraged to play, we found ourselves really getting into it, and it was over almost too soon! We encourage anyone who attends this show to let themselves get into it - the more you put in, the more you get out.
We must also mention the performers - their vocal skills in particular are phenomenal. They knew how to push forward and pull back at the right times, making these strange, unsettling sounds. They were thoroughly believable, both alien and yet somewhat familiar at the same time, brilliant characters - if a little gross at one point!
There were moments of extremely well-built tension; a blindfolded trip to the loft where we exposed our fears was particularly effective. We found ourselves sitting there with a thumping heart and flipping stomach; thoroughly wonderful feelings for a Horror Fan. Later on, we were separated and had our own mini-experiences - and what they did in the place this individual reviewer ended up in really did make them jump! Something about the sensory work of this piece was astounding and gripping. Be prepared; you may get wet.
There may have been a couple of miniscule issues with the set decor, but that really doesn’t distract from the experience at all, and it certainly didn’t stop us from becoming thoroughly enthralled with it.
Moving through the dark, meeting strange characters who seem to know you but you’ve forgotten, questioning things about yourself - all leading to a finale that had me legitimately running out of the door.There’s something so unique and special about this experience, if you let yourself be involved with it. Embrace the psychological set-up and it really builds the fear and tension very well, and afterwards we could not stop babbling about how much we’d enjoyed it. Plus, you get a lovely Halloween goody bag to take home with you!
Highly recommend this experience for anyone looking for something unique and scary! We cannot wait to see what Scarehand do next!
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Links:
Farm of Terror website
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