A preview of the new Blackpool Tower Dungeon before it opened to the public was not a decision taken lightly (I usually require someone to hold my hand when faced with the average fairground ghost train) but there I was in the brilliant Blackpool sunshine standing outside the entrance, waiting for the scariness to start.
A procession of gruesomely dressed witch hunters, dastardly judges, haggard witches, bloody Vikings, prison torturers, plague victims, mutated monks and other horribly disfigured characters welcomed us to the dungeon – officially opening the attraction and wishing us all ‘ave an horrible day!’. We were off to a good start.
First things first - a photo opportunity and the chance to chop off a fellow victims head, and we were on our way. A forlorn jester made us laugh nervously with his ‘dark’ humour and nursery rhymes about the plague – before sending us ‘peasants’ on. What followed was a series of encounters with different aspects of England’s and, more amusingly for us, Lancashire’s dark history. From Lytham Priory (with scary monks) to a bloody torture chamber in Lancaster castle we were entertained by hilariously scary actors, special effects (I hated the escaped leeches) and an atmospheric set. I’m afraid audience involvement is expected – I escaped lightly when accused of being a spy in a smugglers cave – others were convicted of witch craft and more amusing crimes.
The finale of the dungeon experience is ‘a good hanging’ in the form of ‘Extremis – the drop ride to doom’. I don’t want to spoil the surprise – but I think you get a good idea of what to expect from my picture!
Expect to laugh and scream equally, there’s lots of fun to be had at Blackpool’s newest attraction.
Sally
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