Following three years in development, work is now underway on the theme park’s biggest investment to date – a ‘next generation’ attraction due to open in Spring 2016. Derren Brown, the acclaimed British maestro of mind control, has announced details of a unique partnership with THORPE PARK Resort, to create the world’s first fully immersive psychological attraction for a theme park.
The star, who is best known for his mind blowing TV specials and interactive stage shows, has become synonymous with the art of illusion, misdirection and hypnotism since he first came to prominence with his early Channel 4 shows in 2000. The award winning ‘mentalist’ promises that these skills, which allow him to both predict and control human behaviour will be showcased fully at the new ‘themed’ experience, which has been in development for three years and is due to premiere at the park in March 2016. The new one-of-a-kind experience will be the world’s only fully immersive psychological attraction, designed to manipulate the human mind.
THORPE PARK Resort has released a cryptic microsite www.mindswanted.co.uk to promote the announcement. Fans can sign up for information at the site and will be the first to know when more information is released.
The first publicity pictures which may hint at the nature of the forthcoming attraction have also been released showing the master of mind with his lips sewn up and perhaps most unnervingly, Derren holding what appears to be a human brain in a jar. It took four, painstaking hours, to seal Derren’s lips, locking in his secrets about the new attraction.
Construction on the new attraction has already begun on the THORPE PARK Resort site and is shrouded in secrecy. The company have however, revealed that the footprint of the new experience will encompass 2,306 square metres and will involve a team of over 1,000 specialists from THORPE PARK Resort’s ‘Magic Making Creative Department’ and external experts, due to the ground breaking nature of the attraction.
THORPE PARK Resort approached Derren Brown in search of the next era of thrill for their Surrey theme Park, which has over 30 world-class rides and attractions. The park identified psychology as an interesting avenue to explore for a new experience and went in search for the perfect creative mind to execute a completely new and unique invention.
Visitors to the ‘themed’ experience in 2016 will embark on a 13 minute journey, making the one-of-a-kind attraction a totally unique experience in comparison to traditional theme park experiences.
Mike Vallis, Divisional Director of THORPE PARK Resort commented:
‘We started our search for the next era of thrill three years ago, and decided psychology would be an interesting avenue to explore, so we approached Derren Brown to work with us to create something truly exciting.’
‘We are delighted to be partnering with Derren Brown to announce the first details of what promises to be the single most exciting launch event of 2016. The creative concept comes entirely from Derren and we have spent the best part of three years working closely with him to bring his unique vision to life. This is our biggest investment to date and over 1,000 members of our creative team and external specialists will be working on the ground to bring the new experience to life. The attraction will be a world first; as such we have invested heavily in next generation cutting edge technology that will quite simply ‘derail people’s minds’ in a way which has never been seen before. This truly is the world’s first ‘smart’ theme park attraction, paving the future for the leisure industry – it is not what you would expect a theme park to deliver.’
Derren Brown, comments:
‘The process of creating this new experience has been the most challenging of my career – so much so that it has taken us three years to get the project on track. Now we are actually in production, excitement is mounting and we are making the final tweaks to an idea I have wanted to release for some time. As always, you can look forward to a heady mix of magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship. We are keeping the full details under wraps but I can say that the attraction will take you on a journey like no other, an attraction where no one will have quite the same experience and where the guests will be unable to make the distinction between what is real or imagined!’
“This opportunity with THORPE PARK Resort has enabled me to create a unique Derren Brown experience, for many to enjoy. It takes everything I love from Victoriana to mystery and illusion and wraps it up into a mind blowing journey.”
Guests can purchase their THORPE PARK Resort Annual Pass online now for 2016 by visiting www.thorpepark.com, prices start from £49.99.
Alternatively, take advantage of the early bird one-day ticket offer for 2016, which is available online for £27.99 or book into the THORPE SHARK Hotel overnight for £129 based on two persons sharing – this package includes park tickets, first to ride access to the new attraction on the second day of stay, and a complimentary breakfast at Fin’s Bar and Grill.
