WHAT: The Sickness
WHEN: 22 – 31 October, 2022
WHERE: London Bridge Experience (The Rennie Vaults, 2 – 4 Tooley St, London SE1 2SY)
PRICE: £26.95
OUR RATING: Do It!
It’s been some years since we’ve been to The London Bridge Experience and it appears that the space has undergone a complete and welcome transformation in the intervening years. At ground level, an extensive set of vaulted rooms comprise the Bermondsey Bierkeller, themed as a German-style drinking establishment, complete with long heavy-wood tables, party games, and surfeit flagons of ale.
The foyer for The Sickness is now a historical area with a set of pews. Once you’re ushered downward into the main event, the experience is a set of zones, based around the idea of Dr Natas’ psychiatric institution. Opened in 1939, this facility was said to conduct some fairly “experimental” treatments and it’s your task to escape both the dear doctor and the patients. Vignettes featured the doctor himself, a deranged surgeon (watch out for fluid spray!), the infamous Plague Doctor, and a rather naughty barmaid.
Then, it’s onto the Tombs proper for the true test of terror. While the upstairs part of the attraction are creepy theatrical experiences, the tombs are your classic haunt-style labyrinth. Winding passages and occasional blackouts make this chilling, and the actors are not afraid to get up close and personal with their prey. In fact, one of our editors was grabbed and forcefully pulled aside, so watch out!
In terms of storytelling, we felt that there was little connection between the overarching narrative and the terrors we encountered below. Yet, the brilliant, fun, and committed delivery by the actors meant we soon forgot this as we were dashing towards the exit. One fellow in front of us was so terrified as to collapse in a fit of nerves once he was safely back in the Bierkeller. And what better way to soothe your nerves than to have a drink at their new Monster Bar or have a go at one of the several games downstairs – we love us a bit of shuffleboard!
Final Thoughts: We attended this event as part of the press launch and took the tour with a large group of young influencers – as such we unfortunately spent the tour with a majority of the group talking when the actors were trying to speak, and also waving their phones about and filming the entire time. But while this certainly impacted upon our experience, we did try to make the most of this great event, and the actors did a great job in trying to control and interact with the kind of group we were in. All in all, it’s a super fun venture beneath the streets of London, and is definitely one of the scariest the city has. It offers the perfect group night out, with a solid 30-40 minute haunt followed by drinks, food, and games in a cozy and energy packed venue.
