Crowdfunded plans to revive hit UK 90s game show
The Crystal Maze as a visitor attraction are finally set to become reality, with a venue in London, set designer and ticket information for the immersive experience confirmed by its developers.
The trio of Ben Hodges, Tom Lionetti-Maguire and Dean Rodgers, launched an ambitious IndieGoGo campaign in June to develop a full-scale replica of the show. The crowdfunding effort by far exceeded expectations, raising £930,000 (US$1.4m, €1.3m) – nearly half-a-million pounds more than the original target goal.
Much like the popular show, the experience will see teams of eight people taken around four zones divided into Aztec, Medieval, Industrial and Futuristic. Each of the teams will be led by an eccentric quizmaster, who in the series was portrayed by both Richard O’Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole. The quizmaster will guide them around the visitor attraction as they take on a series of challenges themed around either intelligence, skill or physical ability. Failure to complete a task in the set time means contestants will be locked in but can be released if their teammates complete a quiz.
The experience ends with the signature Crystal Dome cash grab, where competitors must collect gold but avoid silver tickets inside a giant fan dome to win prizes.
Little Lion Entertainment, the team behind the development, confirmed that the venue will cover 30,000sq ft (2,787sq m) and will be located in North London between Angel and King’s Cross. The attraction will also include a bar and viewing platform offering various street foods.
Set creator Steve Scott, who has previously worked on films including
Titanic,
Hellboy and
Die Another Day, is behind the attraction’s design. The show’s original creator Malcolm Hayworth is also part of the development team, as is Zodiak Rights, the production company which owns the
The Crystal Maze concept.
In addition to the money raised through crowdfunding, Little Lion says there has been substantial private investment into the venture, which will continue to run “as long as there is demand for it”.
The attraction will run at its London location until at least March 2018, with tickets going on sale today (1 December). The Crystal Maze Experience will launch on 15 March 2016.
