Here in the most northerly section of the nation's capital, we have an abundance of haunted residences. Comparable with other so-called counties such as Cornwall, Devon, Norfolk to name a few. It's a question that caused me to ponder for many years. I wonder if it's a legacy to do with Roman roads leading out or north, a coincidence, or do our residents have an overactive imagination.
Needless to say, a haunted house is the next stage in the evolution of the Dread House story. As a genre, horror is a rich tapestry to draw from and there are a few avenues we haven't strolled down as of yet and it would be exciting to try. For now though, as the name suggests, haunting a space, pulls on my creative talents and there are many areas of this sub genre that I haven't explored.
So far in our history, we will have attempted two different haunted house offerings. Performing at a place like Forty hall has its positives and negatives, it is a house with it's own history and you can't mess with that, it's also very spooky. The house is older than the States and the history is solid and emotionally charged (for some people). Creating a story has to fall in line with the house's history. We didn't do that and I suggest that's why we son't fit in there. Doing it in a Marquee decked out to be a haunted house, gives you a limited amount of credibility, people are mostly aware it's a tent. They are mainly afraid of what you will do to them (and they should be). The challenge for this year is to stop it looking like a tent in a field and use that advantage, that designing a haunt in a marquee offers, flexibility. A completely original and bespoke experience that people will never forget in a good way. That in itself is difficult enough, I know for the first time in 3 years, we've cracked it. Our theme and design this year is what the past 4 years has been leading up to and not to say we've peaked or plateaued, we haven't. We are on the right path heading in the right direction. The first of many and the rung 1 on the ladder.
A greater challenge, once all of the above has been put in place, is creating a haunt design that entertains everyone. There isn't one demographic that we are aiming for. This offering is the correct format as it will include everyone;
Not a member of the community will be left out. That is my intention and what we've planned
Friday 24th October 2025, we will know for sure.
