Since starting this hobby a few years ago, I’m constantly surprised by what we’ve achieved. But even more than that, I’m surprised by the doors that have opened for us. From invites and interviews to collaborations and gifts, it’s all felt a bit surreal. That feeling hit harder than ever last night when we stepped through the gates of The Forgotten Corner to become scare actors for the evening.
Becoming scare actors has always been a bucket list dream for both Luci and me. Without training, a background in theatre, or any real industry connections, it always felt like that dream would stay just that…a dream.
This year, though, that changed.
How It All Started
Let me take you back a full year. During the summer of 2024, we spotted an advert for The Forbidden Corner Fright Night and were immediately desperate to visit.
As seasoned scare fans, we always plan our Scare Season well in advance. Having already visited The Forbidden Corner many times with our little one, the idea of attending a scare event at the “strangest place in the world” was majorly exciting. We booked it straight away.
We arrived far too early on the day, so we headed into the café for a coffee. That’s where we first met Sophia, the Events Manager, and shortly after, Darren, the Operations Manager. Over the next half hour, we talked about our love for scare events, and they kindly gave us permission to film.
That short conversation would spark a friendship with the incredible people at The Forbidden Corner.
In the months that followed, we were invited back to experience the normal daytime attraction, as well as other events we could enjoy as a family. Every time we returned, the conversation always came back to Scare Season and the newly rebranded Forgotten Corner event.
We’d sit together sharing ideas, discussing ways to improve things, and suggesting little touches to make it even more immersive. When we returned this year, it was amazing to see that some of our suggestions (like allowing the actors to touch guests) had actually been put in place.
During those visits, we also met Craig, the Media Manager. And one day, during a chat, I decided to just ask the question that had been sitting in the back of my mind. Could we become scare actors for a night? And could we film the experience?
To my surprise, the reply came back quickly and it was a big, enthusiastic yes.
Building The Event
Over the next few months, we visited regularly to watch the team put the event together. This wasn’t a case of sitting in an office while someone else did the work. Darren, Sophia, and Craig were hands-on the whole time.
Many of the props and sets were created right there on site. Every time we visited, we’d find them hard at work, spray paint in hand, building the incredible theming pieces that would later fill the attraction.
Fast forward to November 1st, the final night of The Forgotten Corner. We arrived early to make sure we had plenty of time to film all the little details and behind-the-scenes moments.
One of the most impressive things was the turnaround time between the daytime and evening events. The family-friendly Halloween attraction runs until around 4 pm, which leaves only a short window to switch everything over. Daytime props are hidden, darker theming is added, lighting changes, and the music shifts from playful to eerie. Watching that transformation happen in real time was amazing.
The Cast and the Atmosphere
Just after 4 pm, the actors began to arrive. The room filled with a mix of personalities from seasoned scare veterans and new performers, to everything in between. Every single one of them was kind, welcoming, and full of energy.
What stood out most was how well everyone was treated. There was no hierarchy, no shouting or orders being thrown around. The management spoke to everyone with respect. It felt like a big, slightly chaotic family reunion.
Huge boxes of food, snacks, drinks, and coffee were laid out for everyone to take to their zones. The care shown to not only us, but the whole cast was clear from the start.
Over the next hour, the room transformed. Normal people turned into monsters, doctors, brides, fishermen, and even a horny gorilla. It was wild to watch.
One transformation that stood out was Yvette, who turned into Mallow a sharp-tongued, foul-mouthed voodoo queen and fan favourite. Seeing this quiet, polite woman become such a confident and unfiltered character was amazing. It showed just how much these actors connect with their roles.
After everyone was ready, management gave a short but emotional speech, and then it was time.
Father Merlot Takes the Stage
My zone for the night was the wine cellar, which would serve as my “church.” I played Father Merlot, a drunk, angry preacher who had lost his faith and took it out on anyone who dared to enter.
I quickly learned that scare acting isn’t easy. It’s physically tiring and mentally demanding. Every group that came through was different, and I had to read them instantly. Who was terrified, who was relaxed, who wasn’t into it at all, then tailor my approach for each one.
Some guests laughed, others screamed, and a few just stood frozen. The first few scares felt awkward, but once I found my rhythm, things started to click.
Instead of relying on jump scares, I leaned into sinister humour and uncomfortable isolation. I’d pick one guest to keep behind while sending the rest on to see Luci, who was playing the nun. I’d talk to them softly, invade their space, touch their face or hair, then stop dead, frozen, inches away.
The reactions were incredible. I started to understand how, over a full season, actors refine their characters until they feel like real extensions of themselves.
Wrapping Up the Night
Just as quickly as it began, the final group passed through, and the night came to an end. But the experience wasn’t over yet.
We were guided to the White Goose Pizza where a full spread of food and drinks waited for us including pizzas, hot dogs, chips, soup, and a well-earned drink from the bar. It was a thoughtful way to close out the night.
Throughout the evening, the management team had done regular welfare checks, making sure everyone was okay, hydrated, and looked after. It was clear this was a team that genuinely cared about their people, not just results.
Looking around the room at the end of the night was surreal, monsters with makeup dripping down their faces, discared heads on tables, a bride chatting to a bunny, a gorilla eating pizza next to an alien, and for some reason, a fake penis stuck to the window. It was chaos, but it was brilliant.
This wasn’t just a job for these people. It was a community. A family of scarers who come together once a year to celebrate their love for horror, performance, and fun.
Luci and I are so thankful to have been welcomed into that family for one night. It’s an experience, and a group of people, we’ll never forget.
You can watch our full vlog and behind the scenes from becoming a scare actor over on our YouTube channel shortly.
