Stourbridge Scare Maze 2024
review coming soon
Scary - Good value for money, characters played very well, definitely visiting again, loved it
Stourbridge Scare Maze 2023
We have been visiting Stourbridge Scare maze for several years and 2023 was easily the strongest incarnation we have experienced. We have always commented on how amazing some of the sets are and this year is no exception, with the attention to detail really evident in the opening scenes in the prison/facility.
The maze itself doesn’t tell one story but transitions through several scenes, and although the bright nature of the colourful clown section is a bit jarring after the darkness of the opening sections – everyone is scared of clowns, eh?
In the past we have commented that the scares in this attraction were generally either aimed at either the front or back of the group, and this year it is clear that the team have tried to ensure everyone is involved. The actors were doing a great job of doing multiple scares on a group, or working the way along the line. Remember these actors aren’t afraid to touch, and a couple of times we were pushed out the way so the actor could get to the person behind us. They also aren’t afraid to get up close and at one point we were pinned to the wall with a fake weapon held to our throats!
The only thing we will say is that it seemed a little light on actors in some of the scenes on our visit, but those we saw were getting a number of good scares throughout.
One of our favourite sections was the “big top finale” to the circus section, which was an insanely chaotic scene that utilised multiple actors, strobe lighting and noise to leave us struggling to find an exit! We also loved the return of the “blocked “corridor in the facility scene, which made everyone in our group jump as multiple actors attacked in unison.
One of the things that always amazes us about this maze is just how long it is. The path winds through the building up and down stairs, and as such you never really know what is coming next. It helps when you can hear screams from other groups in the maze and have no idea of whether there are ahead or behind you.
All in we had a great time at the maze this year. It is clear that a lot of time and effort has gone into the design and build, and the acting talent and direction is significantly improved from previous years.
The maze itself doesn’t tell one story but transitions through several scenes, and although the bright nature of the colourful clown section is a bit jarring after the darkness of the opening sections – everyone is scared of clowns, eh?
In the past we have commented that the scares in this attraction were generally either aimed at either the front or back of the group, and this year it is clear that the team have tried to ensure everyone is involved. The actors were doing a great job of doing multiple scares on a group, or working the way along the line. Remember these actors aren’t afraid to touch, and a couple of times we were pushed out the way so the actor could get to the person behind us. They also aren’t afraid to get up close and at one point we were pinned to the wall with a fake weapon held to our throats!
The only thing we will say is that it seemed a little light on actors in some of the scenes on our visit, but those we saw were getting a number of good scares throughout.
One of our favourite sections was the “big top finale” to the circus section, which was an insanely chaotic scene that utilised multiple actors, strobe lighting and noise to leave us struggling to find an exit! We also loved the return of the “blocked “corridor in the facility scene, which made everyone in our group jump as multiple actors attacked in unison.
One of the things that always amazes us about this maze is just how long it is. The path winds through the building up and down stairs, and as such you never really know what is coming next. It helps when you can hear screams from other groups in the maze and have no idea of whether there are ahead or behind you.
All in we had a great time at the maze this year. It is clear that a lot of time and effort has gone into the design and build, and the acting talent and direction is significantly improved from previous years.
Stourbridge Scare Maze 2022
On our last visit to Stourbridge Scare Maze, we commented that the sets were amazing, but we felt the acing needed some work. Well, we are really pleased to report that the attraction owners have clearly listened to this feedback and made some changes.
But first up we would be totally remiss if we don't mention again the incredible attention to detail in the sets. We are used to visiting attractions and having to imagine we are in the environment required. This could be down to bare walls or no ceiling etc but that's not the issue at Stourbridge Scare Maze. Everywhere you look appears to be themed with textured walls, detailed props and more.
It's all very well having beautiful sets but what if the actors can't work them? This was our complaint in 2022 and for the most part this has improved dramatically. Throughout the show we had a number of great scares (the blocked corridor with the multiple actor scare attack was a particular highlight!)
Unfortunately, though - being at the front of the group meant we sometimes wandered into scenes without the actor knowing we were coming. Therefore, instead of reacting as we walked into a scene, they often reacted once we were in. It may not sound much in writing, but the scares could be so much more impactful if you don't see the actor standing there for 1 second first. It sounds like we are being picky, but actors are a major part of any attraction, and if these issues could be addressed it would really help the overall experience
All in though, we really had a great time at Stourbidge Scare maze and the massive venue rung out with screams around us. Well done to the team for creating such an incredible venue that keeps getting stronger each year. We will be back!
Stourbridge Scare Maze - 2021
Stourbridge Scare Maze is back for 2021 with a massive three a half thousand square foot expansion. Now covering three floors of the building the experience features multiple themes zones such as The Bunker, Crown Lane Asylum, and Twisted Carnival.
All these scenes are taken in turn as part of one long tour round the building, and the the transition between themes is clearly signposted by the incredibly detailed theming. One of our favorite zones was the hillbilly swampland area with the beautiful sets really invoking a feeling of being in the back waters of the American Deep South. But this attention to detail was carried through all the zones with barely an unpainted wall or basic wooden panel throughout the whole experience. We also liked the low walls in the clown section which gave the actors chance to reach out and scare us whilst we were trying to find our way around the twisted maze.
But talking of the actors - this was where we felt the show needed a few more. At times we were walking through the beautiful sets with no jumps or scares at all. The team had some impressive animatronics and tricks that made us jump several times, but we felt that it just needed more actors for that real personal touch, when actors can get up close and interact with all members of the group.
Those that were in there, were all pretty active and we had a number of great scares (especially at the front of the group). It's a shame that a couple of them broke character at certain times. We had a great jump scare that confused the leader of the group so they asked "which way do we go", to which the actor replied "just through there mate" which completely broke the atmosphere. On a later scene an excitable guest in front of us managed to fall down some very well signposted stairs, and as we walked into the scene, the actor looked at us and said "he's just fallen down the stairs" - almost as if they didn't know what to do in the situation. We understand that incidents like this happen but both could have been dealt with in character and would have made it so much more immersive.
We hate to sound so negative, as these were the only points that we felt they needed to pick up on. As we stated at the start - the sets and the detail throughout were amazing, and some extra focus on the actors would just take the event up to the next level. The maze itself is really long - we must have spent nearly 30 minutes at the venue, and has the potential to be something really stunning in the future. As it is - for just a second year - the team have created a wonderful looking experience, and we cant wait to see what they do next!
All these scenes are taken in turn as part of one long tour round the building, and the the transition between themes is clearly signposted by the incredibly detailed theming. One of our favorite zones was the hillbilly swampland area with the beautiful sets really invoking a feeling of being in the back waters of the American Deep South. But this attention to detail was carried through all the zones with barely an unpainted wall or basic wooden panel throughout the whole experience. We also liked the low walls in the clown section which gave the actors chance to reach out and scare us whilst we were trying to find our way around the twisted maze.
But talking of the actors - this was where we felt the show needed a few more. At times we were walking through the beautiful sets with no jumps or scares at all. The team had some impressive animatronics and tricks that made us jump several times, but we felt that it just needed more actors for that real personal touch, when actors can get up close and interact with all members of the group.
Those that were in there, were all pretty active and we had a number of great scares (especially at the front of the group). It's a shame that a couple of them broke character at certain times. We had a great jump scare that confused the leader of the group so they asked "which way do we go", to which the actor replied "just through there mate" which completely broke the atmosphere. On a later scene an excitable guest in front of us managed to fall down some very well signposted stairs, and as we walked into the scene, the actor looked at us and said "he's just fallen down the stairs" - almost as if they didn't know what to do in the situation. We understand that incidents like this happen but both could have been dealt with in character and would have made it so much more immersive.
We hate to sound so negative, as these were the only points that we felt they needed to pick up on. As we stated at the start - the sets and the detail throughout were amazing, and some extra focus on the actors would just take the event up to the next level. The maze itself is really long - we must have spent nearly 30 minutes at the venue, and has the potential to be something really stunning in the future. As it is - for just a second year - the team have created a wonderful looking experience, and we cant wait to see what they do next!
Terrifying - Very terrifying so scared my heart was beating so fast the end got me with the clowns my legs would not move any more but was very good
Stourbridge Scare Maze - 2020
With Covid changing the way scare attractions operate this year, and many having to cancel, we have been surprised at how many new events were launched for 2020. It can't be the easiest year to start a new business, and we wondered how these new events would cope with the ever changing restrictions, that have forced more experienced attractions to just say they wouldn't even try. So a couple of nights into the run, we headed along to an impressive 12,000sq feet building, on a local high street in Stourbridge, to see what Sturbridge Scare Maze had in store.
We waited outside for a short while to get into the attraction, and we could hear the screams from within, whilst on the street. But would this attraction be as petrifying as it sounded? Like most events this year, temperature checks were in place, and we were dispatched in our own “bubble” as well as the use of mandatory face masks for all customers and actors. We have heard that some people had issues on opening night, but on our run through all actors appeared to be masked throughout, and as soon as we entered into the darkness, the masks took nothing away from the fear of the unknown.
After we were briefed, the attraction itself started with us ascending some stairs, which were very dark and ambient. The attention to detail that has taken place in a lot of the set design, was clear - easily up with some of the higher budget scare attractions in the UK. Sadly for us, the area lacked actors with any real direction, and a lot of scenes suitably built up tension, but unfortunately fell flat when it came to delivering the scare.
After descending the stairs, we found ourselves in a post apocalyptic junkyard, with some great use of lights and sounds with several loud sound effects, and set pieces. However again, we ended up wanting more from the actors in this area. Either more actors in total or a much livelier performance style than we got.
After making it through the junkyard, it was onto Crown St Asylum, which was full of dark spaces and tunnels. Unfortunately in a time, where most existing attractions are removing hanging props or obvious dark areas/touch points due to Coronavirus, it was disappointing to see these effects used so prevalent throughout the attraction.
Saying that, we found this area felt a lot more populated with actors, and there were many more jump scares throughout - including the finale which did left us racing to the exit.
All in, the location has enormous potential, and the atmosphere and sets were great, but we would love for there to be more actors inside, especially as we ended up walking long periods without any interaction. But, for a new attraction to the Halloween scene, in such a difficult climate, they have at least managed to open and provide guests with some long needed scares. We hope they can address some of the Covid safety issues around touchpoints etc, and we look forward to seeing what changes they can bring to their attraction next year and beyond.
We waited outside for a short while to get into the attraction, and we could hear the screams from within, whilst on the street. But would this attraction be as petrifying as it sounded? Like most events this year, temperature checks were in place, and we were dispatched in our own “bubble” as well as the use of mandatory face masks for all customers and actors. We have heard that some people had issues on opening night, but on our run through all actors appeared to be masked throughout, and as soon as we entered into the darkness, the masks took nothing away from the fear of the unknown.
After we were briefed, the attraction itself started with us ascending some stairs, which were very dark and ambient. The attention to detail that has taken place in a lot of the set design, was clear - easily up with some of the higher budget scare attractions in the UK. Sadly for us, the area lacked actors with any real direction, and a lot of scenes suitably built up tension, but unfortunately fell flat when it came to delivering the scare.
After descending the stairs, we found ourselves in a post apocalyptic junkyard, with some great use of lights and sounds with several loud sound effects, and set pieces. However again, we ended up wanting more from the actors in this area. Either more actors in total or a much livelier performance style than we got.
After making it through the junkyard, it was onto Crown St Asylum, which was full of dark spaces and tunnels. Unfortunately in a time, where most existing attractions are removing hanging props or obvious dark areas/touch points due to Coronavirus, it was disappointing to see these effects used so prevalent throughout the attraction.
Saying that, we found this area felt a lot more populated with actors, and there were many more jump scares throughout - including the finale which did left us racing to the exit.
All in, the location has enormous potential, and the atmosphere and sets were great, but we would love for there to be more actors inside, especially as we ended up walking long periods without any interaction. But, for a new attraction to the Halloween scene, in such a difficult climate, they have at least managed to open and provide guests with some long needed scares. We hope they can address some of the Covid safety issues around touchpoints etc, and we look forward to seeing what changes they can bring to their attraction next year and beyond.
Links:
Stourbridge Scare Maze website
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