After a year away, Screamfest is back from the dead and includes two new scare attractions. We were invited to the preview night for this resurrected scare event.
SPOILER ALERT! Although we have kept the spoilers within our review to a minimum, it does include photos from inside the scare attractions.
On select nights in October the National Forest Adventure Farm, Burton on Trent, transforms itself to a chilling scream park.
There are five terrifying scare attractions, plus a variety of live entertainment, food and drink, roaming characters and fairground rides.
- Creed Farm (New for 2021) - This new addition has replaced the previous maize maze, introducing a new storyline and characters, whilst incorporating some of the strongest elements of its predecessor. The tractor trailer ride has gone and instead the experience begins with a pitch black rope section before launching into a very familiar and frenzied gauntlet of terror. Delivering the biggest jump scares of the night and with a relentless finale, the scare actors are a good crop and are ready to harvest even the bravest souls.
- Le Theatre Noir (New for 2021) - A completely new theatrical experience for Screamfest, replacing the award-winning Insomnia scare maze, that brings something different to the event. Guests are seated 'in the round' for a dramatic performance that takes place on and around the centre stage. We won't spoil the show by telling you what happens, but it uses a familiar format to one of the popular shows at The Dungeons, plus some added effects. Unfortunately all the tricks are used quite quickly and then repeated over and over, so it lost impact as it went along.
- Hillbilly Joe’s Zombee Zoo - “Come on down to the Zombee Zoo, the best day out in all the south! Have we got some sights for y’all.” It's a zoo full of zombies, what could possibly go wrong… An original concept that's been brought to life with great skill, a long experience that's still surprising and full of humour. The excellent sets and brilliant actors certainly made this one of the most memorable experiences of the night.
- Love Hurts - Welcome to the Diced Heart Pub. Owned by Professor Heart, he wants you to find your soul mate at one of his famous speed dating nights. After a disgusting opening scene inside a toilet cubicle, gruesome events spiral out of control. It's sick, twisted and shocking in equal measure. There were so many more actors than when we experienced this before and the impressive ending was delivered perfectly.
- Freakout on Tour - Roll up… Roll up! The circus is back in town. This troupe of freaks and creeps has set up their funhouse at Screamfest. This is a classic genre and it opens with a typical curtain maze. The combination of wacky music, lights and colourful sets filled with evil clowns is a safe bet given this common phobia, but with an updated storyline and lots of new scenes, this carnival of chaos was by far the most improved returning attraction.
The street entertainment at the event has much improved this year, with the Screamfest Six performing throughout the night in a variety of weird and wonderful acts.
We thoroughly enjoyed our night at Screamfest and would certainly recommend adding this event to your Halloween itinerary.
Screamfest runs on select nights until 31st October at the National Forest Adventure Farm - book online in advance at www.screamfest.co.uk
