FEAR: Brighton - Review
It's not every day that a new year round scare attraction opens and so it was with much excitement that we travelled to Brighton for the opening weekend:
Fear is based just off the main shopping district in Brighton in an old disused nightclub. The gothic building is already quite creepy looking and the geniuine gargoyles just add to the atmosphere. The building is made even more impressive with the outside theming including a massive set of eyes staring down from the second floor. It looks great on the outside, but of course we were more interested in what was inside!
The main entrance is set round the side of the building and after paying, guests are invited upstairs to the waiting area. This room sets you up nicely for the whole attraction with an incredibly detailed set and video warnings. An ominous monk blocked our path until it was our time to enter.
The next ten minutes were some of the darkest, confusing and claustrophobic we have ever experienced in the UK. The venue is actually quite small and this has forced the design to keep all the rooms and corridors very tight and compact. Even at times when the corridor widens out into "rooms ", these rooms are so small and intimate that the characters are able to get very close to the guests.
This cramped feeling really heightens the sensation of claustrophobia throughout. Add in several big squeeze tunnels and a number of doors to open between scenes and we were constantly on edge as to what would be waiting for us around each corner. As it was - each new discovery was usually something horrible!
We found out afterwards that the attraction had originally been planned with one long cohesive story, but this was changed during construction to give completely different thematic elements around each corner. From filthy toilets to demented clowns, the attraction now plays out as a series of short sharp unrelated scares which keep bombarding visitors from all sides. Along the way there were a number of unique scares and effects that really added to the impact, including a simple and genius bit of misdirection that smartly reversed our conga line meaning that the cowards at the back were forced to lead our group for a while!
All throughout, the sets and attention to detail are amazing and even now it's really difficult to believe that it was put together in just a few weeks. The scenery would put some other attractions to shame and the design gives a great playground for the actors to have fun in.
We actually lost count of the number of actors we encountered as they ranged from mad scientists, zombies and other horrible creations. All the actors are brand new to scare acting and should be commended on putting on such a good show within one day of opening. As time goes on, and they learn more about their environment we are sure they will be able to get even more devious with their scares.
Like all attractions, FEAR builds to a big climax and before we knew it - we were being chased out the door by something very noisy! We ended up in a final room with a simple set up but having been "shocked" (literally) earlier, we were all a bit nervous about putting our hands on the railings as asked!. As we finally left the attraction, we had the chance to buy our group photo and look at some of the classy merchandise available.
Fear is based just off the main shopping district in Brighton in an old disused nightclub. The gothic building is already quite creepy looking and the geniuine gargoyles just add to the atmosphere. The building is made even more impressive with the outside theming including a massive set of eyes staring down from the second floor. It looks great on the outside, but of course we were more interested in what was inside!
The main entrance is set round the side of the building and after paying, guests are invited upstairs to the waiting area. This room sets you up nicely for the whole attraction with an incredibly detailed set and video warnings. An ominous monk blocked our path until it was our time to enter.
The next ten minutes were some of the darkest, confusing and claustrophobic we have ever experienced in the UK. The venue is actually quite small and this has forced the design to keep all the rooms and corridors very tight and compact. Even at times when the corridor widens out into "rooms ", these rooms are so small and intimate that the characters are able to get very close to the guests.
This cramped feeling really heightens the sensation of claustrophobia throughout. Add in several big squeeze tunnels and a number of doors to open between scenes and we were constantly on edge as to what would be waiting for us around each corner. As it was - each new discovery was usually something horrible!
We found out afterwards that the attraction had originally been planned with one long cohesive story, but this was changed during construction to give completely different thematic elements around each corner. From filthy toilets to demented clowns, the attraction now plays out as a series of short sharp unrelated scares which keep bombarding visitors from all sides. Along the way there were a number of unique scares and effects that really added to the impact, including a simple and genius bit of misdirection that smartly reversed our conga line meaning that the cowards at the back were forced to lead our group for a while!
All throughout, the sets and attention to detail are amazing and even now it's really difficult to believe that it was put together in just a few weeks. The scenery would put some other attractions to shame and the design gives a great playground for the actors to have fun in.
We actually lost count of the number of actors we encountered as they ranged from mad scientists, zombies and other horrible creations. All the actors are brand new to scare acting and should be commended on putting on such a good show within one day of opening. As time goes on, and they learn more about their environment we are sure they will be able to get even more devious with their scares.
Like all attractions, FEAR builds to a big climax and before we knew it - we were being chased out the door by something very noisy! We ended up in a final room with a simple set up but having been "shocked" (literally) earlier, we were all a bit nervous about putting our hands on the railings as asked!. As we finally left the attraction, we had the chance to buy our group photo and look at some of the classy merchandise available.
During our time through FEAR, we had experienced some really good startle scares, some clever new tricks and a level of detail in the theming and design like no other. The main design has pulled together by the talented team from Siga Creative FX, and their attention to detail is clear throughout the show. As a brand new attraction and for a team who have never operated a scare attraction before it is a very polished and confident show that deserves to be successful, as it is clear that a lot of money and effort has gone into it.
We talked to the manager afterwards about the challenges they had faced with getting the attraction open and what their future plans may be. There are already plans to make it "even scarier" for Halloween and there are 2 floors of the building which are not currently being used. So depending on the success - we could see an extended show in the future.
We talked to the manager afterwards about the challenges they had faced with getting the attraction open and what their future plans may be. There are already plans to make it "even scarier" for Halloween and there are 2 floors of the building which are not currently being used. So depending on the success - we could see an extended show in the future.
It's always exciting when a new year-round attraction opens as it should hopefully introduce more people to this kind of entertainment. Certainly when the attraction is as good as this one, we hope that the people of Brighton (and scare fans across the country), check it out and enjoy it too!
For more details of FEAR: Brighton, check out their website
You Review

its fantastic - from the offset in the waiting room you're emerged in dark and atmosphere with creepy noises. the maze is small, claustrophobic, confusing and hits you with alot of darkness and different rooms and parts all over the place. from the evil to the very evil its extremely good and really immerses you in the experience.
The only part I wasn't impressed with was the final scare and photo as it was very predictable and needed something extra to catch you off guard. If you're near Brighton, go to see it as its defiantly one of the best in the UK!
The only part I wasn't impressed with was the final scare and photo as it was very predictable and needed something extra to catch you off guard. If you're near Brighton, go to see it as its defiantly one of the best in the UK!
You Review

We visited scare on the 4th August 2012 booked as to try something different for a work night out, and different it was, there was 8 of us in total men and women, all macho and grown up or I thought, we screamed like babies all the way round, I dont remember the last time I sweated so much in such a short time, credit to you all a job well done, I will be sleeping with the light on tonight.
You review 2

I think u should get longer in the for the price it is and the actors shouldn't grab ur ankels because I fell over Overall it was great and actually I loved it and so want to go again but it's so scary and amazing
You Review

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