If anyone told you that you would voluntarily enter a room from which you have to escape, you would probably say “not doing that”. Surprisingly, you are the minority.
Escape rooms are big, and they are here to stay; anyone who remembers The Crystal Maze, a game show of the 90s will get it straight away. The only thing that’s missing is Richard O’Brien, but I’m sure even his presence can be arranged for a fee.
What’s Not to Love?
The premise is you’re locked in a room with five others: friends, colleagues or even enemies and you have a mission to save the world, save your friends, save the cat, and you have between 45-90 minutes to do it.
Calling all Alphas
Someone usually takes charge, and that may not be who you would expect – Jenny from accounts – the puzzle-solving begins. The experts in escape rooms will tell you that you should “take in the room”, check everything over and evaluate the possibilities.
Like detectives in a book, the clues begin to reveal themselves. Now we’re cooking on gas; this is when the real fun begins. It’s like a roller coaster of emotions; each clue gets you closer to the goal and now time matters. The clock ticks, but time doesn’t standstill.
When Did Escape Rooms Become a Thing?
The concept as we know it today started in Japan in 2007 as a team-building event thought up by Takao Kato, a guy who worked in publishing who wanted a way to inspire the employees who worked at his company to join in and bond. The idea was an immediate hit.
Scroll forward to 2011 in Hungary. Attila Gyurkovics, now widely known as the godfather of escape rooms, elaborated on the idea and launched a franchise model which hit the UK in 2012: and the rest is history.
The World’s a Stage
Escape rooms have unique themes; just like a theatre performance, each one different and each one so immersive that while you’re in it you believe in your mission, and celebrating each win becomes very important. And so is the outcome, to beat the clock. Beating the clock gives focus, and who doesn’t need that right now?
New escape rooms are popping up all the time. Excitingly, a Sherlock Holmes themed room has been launched in London; while across the country abandoned buildings have been turned into spy-themed rooms, laboratories and dungeons.
If you’re interested in forgotten victorian tube stations, underground tunnels and secret chambers, you can find escape rooms featured in these locations. With more opening across the UK and Ireland every month and available to experience right now.
Party Like It Means Something
After months of virtual meetings and parties, stimulation is urgently needed. So if you’re planning an event and you want your friends or colleagues to get something positive out of it, you know what you need to do – get your escape room head-on! Book now and don’t forget to tell Richard I sent you!
