Hallowtween 2020: FreakShow
WHO IS YORK MAZE?
York Maze is a well-known seasonal attraction just outside York, England. It’s one of the largest maize mazes in Europe, created each summer from over a million maize plants grown specifically for the event. Because the crop is replanted annually, the maze’s design changes every year, often featuring elaborate themes that can only be appreciated fully from above.
York Maze runs two seasonal Halloween events each year – Hallowscream and hallowtween. Hallowscream is York Maze’s adult-oriented, immersive Halloween experience—an intense, multi-award-winning scream park designed for thrill-seekers above 16 years of age. Hallowtween, on the other hand, is aimed at families and younger guests aged between 10 and 15 years old. It’s perfect for those too old for trick-or-treating but not quite ready for the level of scare Hallowscream offers.
Stage One: The Brief
Due to Covid-19 safety concerns York Maze decided not to host their flagship event, Hallowscream, however they did choose to run the family-friendly Hallowtween event instead, opting for increased dates but reduced capacity, and implementing additional safety measures.
Our brief for Hallowtween was to create a Freakshow themed family-friendly stage show with an atmospheric and eerie ambience. Think dim lighting, foggy haze, and a carnival-meets-macabre vibe – with it still remaining family-friendly and suitable for Halloween fans without being too scary.
Stage Two: Dressed To Kill
As Hallowtween is a visual event it was important to set the scene by dressing the stage appropriately.
To really sell the macabre freakshow vibe we utilised “rhubarb and custard” yellow and red rags as bunting, as well as dim carnival string lights zig-zagging across the stage. We dressed the stage with lit up Freakshow signs and walls of vintage style freakshow banners, to complete the vibe we also made a customised “killer” soundtrack. The Horror Circus was simply called the “Freakshow” for York Maze.
Stage Three: The Acts
We choose to cast an Undead Ringmaster character as the show host. Wearing a black tail coat adorned with bones, complete with topcoat and black and white striped trousers, he introduced acts to the stage such as an Aerial Hoop performer, Contortionist, Fire Performers, Chainsaw Stunts, and a Pierced Weight Lifter.
Along with this action packed line up York Maze’s very own infamous Corny the Clown, and Lil Dribble, the resident granny characters, even made an appearance.
Stage Four: The Reception
The Freakshow was received very well with great reviews being posted across the board, not just about the stage shows, but about the event as a whole in general – often being compared to big Halloween events like Universal’s Horror Nights.
Our performers did a great job over the Halloween period performing for 14 days in total, 132 shows performed, 56 covid tests taken, and 0 positive tests!
If you are interested in including family friendly Halloween entertainment at your next event you can find out more information on The Horror Circus page. Alternatively if you have your own ideas in mind and would like to discuss a custom package created just for you – feel free to drop us a message on our Contact page.
“Thank you to everyone who visited, got scared and joined our party. But most importantly, thanks to the Hallowscream dream team! There are SO many incredibly talented people who make this event happen!”
– TOM PEARCY
York Maze, Business Owner