Immersive experiences have been around for a while, but in recent years, the combination of theatre, mystery, and modern game design has led to some truly unique things. The Key of Dreams is the latest experience from top UK immersive event creators Lemon Difficult. It is an incredibly impressive feat of game design, set-dressing, acting and fun.
Inspired by the works of M.R. James, Charlotte Gilman, and H.P. Lovecraft, STARBURST was invited to The Key of Dreams experience, and of course, we had to say yes; we are suckers for cosmic horror.
It all begins when you arrive at Treowen Manor, a Grade 1 listed manor house with extensive gardens, which is rather lovely both inside and out. This is a 24-hour adventure, so the pleasant venue is certainly a bonus. As we arrived, we were greeted by the enthusiastic but slightly odd staff; trained actors and storytellers were present to lure us into this very strange world, if only for a short while. If you’ve ever wanted to pull up to a peculiar and possibly haunted house for the night, this is your chance.
Story-wise, the theme is spooky rather than scary. You’re investigating ghosts, unsolved murders and matters of unspeakable, cosmic weirdness. Depending on who you talk to and the choices you make, you may well find yourself part of the story. The set-up for the experience is that you are in some way associated with the Miskatonic University, investigating strange things on their behalf, and the Manor is a nexus of odd events.
As you settle into your rather fine manor house bedroom, you are presented with a Field Guide, a notebook filled with things to look out for during the next 24 hours and some firm advice that you will need to work with other people to find out more. This is appropriately atmospheric and one of the many little rewards dotted across the experience.
The venue is crammed with different clues. Puzzle boxes, bespoke jigsaws, strange props, little notes left about the place, and so on. Some are simple puzzles that reveal stories, and others involve much more. It swiftly becomes apparent that these mysteries can be solved differently, and you may not have the full picture. These are regularly refreshed throughout the event, giving the whole affair a bit of a spooky vibe. The joy of this experience is that there are so many more secrets and mysteries than you can find on your own, so you have to work with other guests as well as the various characters in the house.
Each character is very different, and they have their own stories and mysteries, running from creepy yet mysterious to practical yet naive. Your choices and your interactions do feel like they affect the way the event progresses. The performances are superb; immersive events such as this tend to attract more formulaic approaches to story-telling; at The Key of Dreams, the actors use their strong improv skills to make you feel part of their world. The performers add to the immersion in many ways, keeping the guests focused on the action. Each character is themselves an enigma to solve.
Opportunities to sink yourself into this strange world are constant. We felt a bit like Giles from Buffy The Vampire Slayer more than once as we returned to the library to find more files and dig up more clues. Or send a telegram out to get permission to unlock forbidden tomes.
The food at the event is described as fine dining, and certainly, we found the menu (which varies from event to event) very appetising and enjoyable. In addition, tea and coffee are readily available. There’s something magical about being invited to afternoon tea in a place like Treowen Manor. These meal breaks also serve to help each guest digest and examine their experiences so far, setting a timetable for events and giving the guests a chance to catch up on discoveries.
If you’re a table-top gamer or Live Action Roleplayer, you may recognise some of the puzzle elements and game design built into this event. This isn’t really an advantage, but it does mean you may want to pause and admire how elegantly this experience has been put together. Our party of reviewers included someone who loved puzzles but didn’t roleplay or have much interest in such things; they found themselves completely immersed in the mystery and conspiracy of the event.
Cost-wise, this is a luxury experience, but it is reasonably priced. Though it’s more expensive than a city-based escape room, that’s not really a fair comparison. The lovely location, skilled actors, good food, and intensity of the experience combine to make for an unforgettable adventure. Good art lingers in the mind for a long time, which is true with immersive experiences. With The Key of Dreams, you come away feeling like you’ve lived through a piece of classic weird fiction. If you like good, spooky puzzles, or if you’re fascinated with gentle cosmic horror, then you should check this out.
Well-written and tightly organised, The Key of Dreams is a rare gem well worth booking if you’re looking for an unforgettable holiday adventure.
