XtremeScream at Twinlakes
WHO IS TWINLAKES?
Twinlakes Park is a popular family theme park in the East Midlands, known for its wide range of attractions. Every October, it transforms into XtremeScream, an award-winning Halloween event. The annual festival is celebrated for its atmospheric scare mazes, theatrical storytelling, and immersive entertainment. With thousands of guests visiting each year, XtremeScream has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most thrilling seasonal experiences.
The partnership with XtremeScream gave us the opportunity to create unique live entertainment that complemented their existing attractions. The challenge was to produce something bold, visually striking, and seamlessly aligned with the event’s darker aesthetic. The result was the creation of the Xtreme Freakshow, designed to sit within the immersive horror carnival theme already embraced by the park.
Stage One: The Brief
Our task came with very fixed parameters. We had to work within a covered stage space that included an awkwardly shaped backstage area at one end. Power was limited, stage lighting was unavailable, and large flames were not allowed on the covered stage. To add further complexity, a small raised outdoor stage was available, but this came with the risk of unpredictable weather.
The project also demanded walkabout and ambient entertainment positioned around the park throughout the night. To make the most of a restricted budget, we decided to embrace a rundown carnival aesthetic. This approach tied neatly into the unusual shape of the stage while also complementing XtremeScream’s existing Funhouse scare maze and their ‘Unfair Funfair’.
Stage Two: The Xtreme Freakshow
Given the constraints, we avoided heavy stage decoration and instead used atmosphere to transform the space. Carnival-style string lights along with red and yellow tattered and dishevelled looking bunting we stung up, and LED par cans were installed to throw red and yellow stripes of light across the back wall, creating warmth while masking the awkward backstage layout. Three practical spotlights were mounted at the front to ensure every performer was well lit.
To anchor the concept, we created a customised “Xtreme Freakshow” banner that reinforced both the carnival theme and the client’s event branding. This banner, coupled with a banner line of traditional looking freakshow banners provided a clear visual focus and gave the stage a professional finish without demanding major structural changes. The combination of light, colour, and branding gave the performance area a strong identity.
Stage Three: The Acts
The limited budget allowed for only four performers, so careful programming was essential. One artist handled roaming walkabout sets on both stilts and ground level. Another delivered fire shows on the outdoor platform, providing a dynamic contrast to the indoor stage. The remaining two formed the main stage cast.
We also introduced a recorded “voice of God” to narrate and host the stage production. This unseen voice welcomed audiences, introduced acts, and provided a running storyline. Timed with a tailored soundtrack, it created the illusion of a larger cast and enhanced the overall production value. The technique brought cohesion and mystery, elevating the small troupe into a memorable theatrical experience.
In the words of Joss from Theme Park Guide Live; “The Xtreme Freakshow has just started on the stage and the fire dancers are back and putting on a great show!”
Stage Four: The Pop-up Entertainment
We repurposed the box stage into a striking selfie zone at the park entrance. Guests were greeted here by themed characters, invited to take photos, and could see schedules for the evening’s shows. Social media handles and hashtags were also displayed, encouraging digital engagement and extending the event’s reach online.
Meet the characters: The Black Widow – a seductively darkly man-eater, stalking the space in her mourning attire. The Harlequin – a mischievous clown, relied on her bike horn and unnerving grin to deliver sudden jump scares. The Tattooed Lady – sitting with tattoo machine sound effects, painstakingly inking her bodysuit before curious guests’ very eyes. Together, they ensured audiences were entertained from the moment they entered the park.
All in all, the event ran for 15 days, over this time frame we provided, per night: 4 stage shows on the main stage, 5 fire shows on the open air stage, 4 meet and greet/ selfie sets at the box stage, and roaming stilt walking/ ground level entertainment throughout each evening.
Additional images by Theme Park Guide Live.
If you are interested in including Halloween entertainment at your next event you can find out more information on our Halloween Theme page, or you can check out our Halloween Entertainment Ideas page. Alternatively if you have your own ideas in mind and would like to discuss a custom package created just for you, just like Twinlakes Park did – feel free to drop us a message on our Contact page.
“We’re happy with the overall proposal/design of the “Xtreme Freakshow” and the running theme complimented each of the performers and set whilst still remaining different from the Clowns we have in our Scare Zone.”
– BETH HORNCASTLE
Twinlakes, Entertainment Manager