Halloween Special: FEAR at Avon Valley

With Avon Valley’s 2019 Fear event promising to be bigger and better than ever, it’s safe to say they lived up to their word. Whilst 2018 feedback showed mass audience satisfaction, the event was met with the requests for even more fear-filling frights. Hearing this feedback, Fearcame back with a bang, introducing a whole new maze “VITANOVA”- by far the most extreme of the mazes, and welcoming back its immersive street theatre, set with clowns bearing flame-throwers and freakish stilt-walkers . 

Entering through the grimace of a wicked clown, you find yourself dazed and disoriented passing through a spiralling tunnel of colour and music before emerging into the wayward world of the clowns. If you’re looking for an all-immersive experience, then Fear’s cast of oddball characters will certainly fulfil your wishes, having witnessed attendees being chased by characters donning ringmaster’s whips and giant hammers. The Street Theatre offers a selection of hot food and drink stalls, as well as ‘FRANK’S’- the big-top-tent decked with benches and a bar for those above 18 to sit and enjoy a much needed drink! For those who want to test their aim, an extra £5 will buy you access to the Republic of England’s Rebels Training, where for 5-10 minutes you’ll try your shot at taking down the ‘infected’ escapee’s from VITANOVA.

Securing a ‘Fear Pass’ allows you 1x access to each of the 5 attractions, as well as the Killzone experience and general access to the street theatre. For my third year in a row I purchased this ticket, finding one time access to each maze satisfied my craving of adrenaline, and enjoying a few drinks at FRANK’s after a couple of hours of fun. 

As for the mazes, my personal favourite was X4, following the narrative of a lab based through a series of subterranean tunnels. The theatrics from the elevator trip deep underground and the pre-fright scientific briefing swept us into the narrative, creating the intense atmosphere and a clear plot line. The mazes appear to vary in scare-factor, meaning that there is something suitable for all who want to dip their toes into fright-nights. 

The success of the event can be put down to the commitment the actors, staff and mazes have in selling the story of the deranged and twisted circus, with the narratives of each maze exploring the attendees deepest phobia’s (Phobia: Rebirth, House of Clowns) and human morals (Anarchy: Live, VITANOVA).