It might seem a little strange to be saying remember, remember the 5th of November this early in the year, but it’ll all come together when you hear about the Tower Of London’s latest plans. Just ask Harry Potter star Tom Felton.
While the origin of this tradition isn’t often spoken of when setting off your Catherine wheels and sparklers, most of us are familiar with the tale of the Gunpowder Plot, where the infamous Guy Fawkes was thwarted in his attempts to take explosives to the Houses of Parliament.
In this time-warping experience – housed in the vaults opposite the Tower Of London, no less – players will step into a time machine to re-enact the events of that day in 1605. Don’t worry though, we’ve been assured the whole “sentenced to death” part of Guy Fawkes’ fate will not be included in your ticket.
Guy Fawkes and other Gunpowder conspirators were imprisoned, tortured and interrogated in the Tower of London, giving this experience a direct correlation to the happenings which are being played out. And this is where Tom Felton comes in, swapping Draco Malfoy’s schemes to outwit Harry Potter for Guy Fawkes’ schemes to outwit the Houses Of Parliament security — both to a similar level of success (i.e. not very!).
But despite the unfortunate fate of Guy Fawkes, it’s a great casting for a story that the people of this country love to celebrate over 400 years on, so we’re sure it’ll be a hit. Felton and a cast of 50 digital and 20 live actors will deliver an immersive, virtually recorded experience guiding you through the gunpowder plot.
Attendees “will interact with Guy Fawkes inside Virtual Reality, as they infiltrate the plotter’s company and learn of the conspiracy against the Houses of Parliament”.
When you play out the historic London conspiracy, you’ll be treated to a three-pronged roster of live actors, virtual reality and multi-sensory special effects — all making up a presentation that gives you an active role to play in one of the great tales in the chronicles of Britain. Those who believe they have what it takes to infiltrate the gang of plotters, earn their trust and join them are invited to sign up.
An immersive theatre space in the vaults opposite the Tower Of London is the setting; a space that hasn’t been accessible to the public for two decades, and just happens to be where a chunk of the prelude to the Gunpowder plot took place before Guy Fawkes’ death.
“So when you’re stepping back into 1605, all of your senses are telling you that you’re there,” said Layered Reality CEO Andrew McGuinness on their latest venture. “Your eyes are seeing London as it was in 1605, you get the smells, you will for the first time see the Tower of London how it looked in 1605, and you’ll go down the Thames and see it as it was at that time. That’s what makes it so magical.”
Not only are you invited to immerse yourself in the feel of London 1605, but you also get to play a role in the events that occurred in the early hours of November 5, 1605.
Speaking about his role, Tom Felton said “I’m very excited to be playing a character so famous (and infamous!) for being at the centre of the most famous conspiracy plot in UK history. Guy Fawkes is a fascinating character with a complex history and with passionate advocates and detractors then and now.
“To be able to bring the character to life through Virtual Reality, and to allow him to interact with audiences in a way that has never been done before, is thrilling.”
Tickets for The Gunpowder Plot Experience are on sale now.
