Review: THE BURNING BLIMP FESTIVAL, Phantom Peak

Interactive adventure experience and cult Discord hit Phantom Peak returns with its latest seasonal theme - The Burning Blimp Festival.

For the summer months, Phantom Peak has opened up and expanded their outdoor space, using the full length of their canal boardwalk to expand the gaming opportunities and food outlet offerings.

The refreshment options feel more refined in this iteration of Canada Water’s long-running immersive experience, and the lines of Phantom Peak merch are ever expanding, but beyond these commercial elements, Phantom Peak is starting to feel a bit tired. This show lacked the energy of previous festive spectaculars over Halloween and Christmas, and this is felt across the board in the performances, stories and mysteries on offer.

A crucial element missing from The Burning Blimp Festival is a shaping narrative arc that pulls together the adventure strands and gives the audience a sense of urgency and purpose in their navigation of the interactive world. Without the stakes of an impending explosion or a town-wide mystery, the experience is a series of side quests and this lack of direction leaves the audience feeling slightly listless. 

Although still a fun adventure, Phantom Peak unfortunately gives the impression of winding down as it runs out of steam.

*** Three Stars

Reviewed by Livvy Perrett