Entserv’s Steve Richley was approached by The Tussauds Group Studios to design the show and electrical systems for the three mazes and to carry out the lighting and electrical installations. Both Lightfactor and Entserv are regular technical contractors to Tussauds, and engage in some of their most demanding and exciting projects.
Entserv also supplied the audio, pneumatics and technical infrastructure to bring The Freezer to ‘life’, with Lightfactor supplying the lighting. The overall concept design for the three mazes was by Sudden Impact Inc from the USA, who were in the UK for the first time working on this new idea in conjunction with Tussauds Studios’ Paul Langham, Dani Charleston-Gallacher and Simon Hart.
The main lighting effect in The Freezer, based on a giant cold room, was a giant lightning machine called The Tesla Coil. In pitch darkness, lit only by strobing effects and engulfed by huge clouds of smoke, the impact was spectacularly physical, and a great example of psychological lighting at it’s very best. Tim Coucher, Tussauds technical project manager, chose SGM strobes for light-sources "for their brightness and reliability", and five Martin fog machines to produce the thick smoke effects required. Lighting control was by a Replay unit, synched to the soundtrack.
Freakshow was an entirely different experience, building on the spatial impact of 3D, using UV scenic effects and polarising glasses for the audience. The UV-sensitive artwork on the maze’s narrow walkways featured weird psychedelic faces and scenes. All was illuminated with a UV tube installation of 44 x 4ft long UV tubes and two black guns. The effects lighting was powered and operated via the space’s master control system.
Electrical installations for both Thorpe Park mazes and the Chessington World of Adventures attraction were linked to the house safety and evacuation and lighting systems to comply with the Parks’ strict health and safety policies. The mazes proved such a success in the last week of the Park’s season before they shut for their winter break, that Tussauds is already constructing a permanent ‘4D’ UV installation in Chessington World of Adventures’ ‘Burnt Stub’, due to open next season, complete with animatronics, smoke, strobes, lighting effects, smell machines, Pepper’s Ghosts, plasma screens, etc.
Lightfactor’s Paul de Ville said: "With technology being used in ever-more creative ways to maximise the experience of visitors to parks like Chessington and Thorpe, a great deal of knowledge is required from the supply companies. It’s great that Lightfactor is part of the team bringing these innovative and incredibly successful attractions to life."
(Lee Baldock)
