A new style of haunted house will debut in Surrey in September.
Somnara Studios will host a live, immersive theatre experience called “Dreadworks Haunted House” in and around the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. The experience opens for a five-week run beginning Sept. 27.
According to a press release from the company, “Dreadworks Haunted House is a groundbreaking live event meticulously crafted to merge cutting-edge storytelling with advanced production techniques, creating an unforgettable, spine-chilling immersive experience.”
Dreadworks Haunted House blends visual effects, sound, tactile artifacts, and scents. Parts of the adventure is inside, while some parts are outside, so organizers are urging event-goers to dress for the weather.
“This immersive approach transforms each visit into a multi-sensory adventure, intensifying the thrill and realism of the haunted experience,” notes a post on the event's website. “Our guests are not just observers but active participants in a hauntingly vivid world.”
Telling a unique tale, the hands-on story is set in a “shadowed realm” called Somnara where a corrupted Dream Lord, X’aroketh, creates nightmares at the Dreadworks factory.
“Celestia, the Hero and Dream Sentinel, calls on visitors to join her quest to dismantle the factory and restore the dreamscape,” the website notes. “Step into your role as a hero in this cinematic adventure, where your bravery shapes the legend of this dark and enchanting world.”
Dreadworks Haunted House is a joint undertaking between Alexander J. Baxter and the Jonkman family, co-founders of Somnara Studios.
“Baxter and The Dreadworks team … brings a wealth of experience in the horror genre,” the press release adds. “Renowned for their dynamic storytelling and innovative film productions, they have set new standards in indie film with genres spanning dark fantasy, horror, drama, documentary, and science fiction."
Baxter, a producer, writer, actor, and director is the founder of Constellate Films, a Vancouver-based production company. Baxter’s credits include: The Man in The High Castle, DC Legends of Tomorrow, and Jikirag.
According to the release, Dreadworks Haunted House promises “a blend of horror and innovation that will push the boundaries of traditional haunted attractions.” Organizers feel the event will be a “seasonal highlight.”
There are several ticket options for Dreadworks Haunted House: value night ($60), general night ($65), deluxe night ($70), and premium night ($75).
Somnara also offers haunted house-goers three different scare-experience levels. A green, yellow, or red scare band will tell haunters how to interact with ticket holders. Green is the full-monty scare, which includes being touched, led, and separated from others. Yellow consists of sight and sounds scaring only. A red scare band will give guests a “reduced scare experience.”
Somnara Studios will host Dreadworks Haunted House from Sept. 27 until Nov. 3.
For more info, visit dreadworks.ca. For tickets, visit tixr.com.
The Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre is located at 17728 64th Avenue in Surrey on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
