The Unmissables – Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience

This week’s unmissable experience takes us underground to the world of Lara Croft to help save the world from destruction.

I have always been a big fan of puzzles, crosswords and quizzes, and when escape rooms started popping up a few years ago, I was intrigued. I have since escaped from many dimly lit rooms, twisting padlocks and pointing lasers at codes on walls as my family voiced their irritation at my ineptitude. However, this is the first time I’d been to one of the bigger experiences; a cross between immersive theatre, escape room and (low key) assault course. I was excited to find out what the fuss was about.

Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience (to give it its proper title) is the brainchild of Tom Lionetti-Maguire, founder of Little Lion Games, the company behind another successful attraction; The Crystal Maze. Tom comes from a theatrical background and he recognised the opportunity to take the surging demand for immersive theatre and translate it for the attractions industry. He is passionate about immersive theatre, seeing it as being a much more inclusive medium, accessible for all generations. He feels his attractions are equally accessible.

This was good to hear. I was going to Tomb Raider with two university friends, all of us in our fifties. We didn’t seem, to ourselves, to be target audience for such an attraction, and as we descended the steps past the statue of Lara Croft, my companions informed me of their ongoing issues with vertigo, a dodgy foot and a back injury. Our main concern was that the rest of our team would be a family with teenagers who would be mortified to have been paired with this motley crew. Beyond that, we had heard talk online of a zip wire and a cave descent so our first questions on arrival were about whether we could bypass any of the challenges if necessary (you can). Hardly intrepid adventurers, but enthusiastic and excited, nonetheless.

Happily, there were no teenagers, just a group of three other adults happy to join forces with us on our adventure across the globe from Finland to Costa Rica and home, by sea, overland, through cave networks, and by air. Within minutes, we felt like a team. There was no time for awkward introductions.

Location: Slap bang in the middle of Camden Stables Market, giving you the opportunity to combine your experience with food and drink at the market stalls and a great day out exploring this vibrant area of London. Just a few minutes’ walk from Camden Town tube station.

First impressions: Walking into the first room, through a snowy Finnish scene to a log cabin, gives an excellent impression of what is to come. The sets are really wonderful and a lot of care and money has gone into creating an environment which is convincing, inspiring and surprisingly spacious.

Best for: Adult groups, families with teenagers. You join forces for this experience, working in groups of up to eight. It is good for teens because the puzzles are not too complex so they shouldn’t get frustrated that they aren’t getting anywhere; a feeling which can quickly lead to disengagement. There is more activity than you would find in an escape room, but it is certainly not as physically demanding as we feared. You need to be in good enough shape to crawl, swing and run about a bit, but nothing the average person cannot do.

It is unsuitable for pregnant women and you have to be 12 years + to play.

Highs: The sets. I won’t tell you too much for fear of spoiling the experience, but they are really a cut above.

Lows: The ‘after show’ photo opportunity which was held in a corridor felt a bit out of sorts with the quality of the rest of the experience. We also felt the prices for pictures were rather high.

Verdict: We had a great time at Tomb Raider. In this post-Covid world, to be able to lose myself in a fantasy world and connect with friends for a couple of hours was pure joy. We laughed a lot, we managed to complete all the challenges, and we really enjoyed ourselves.

Value for money: With prices starting from £51 per person, it is not cheap, but the experience lasts a full 90 minutes and there are many, many rooms to explore, so, in my opinion, Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience represents good value for money.

Book at www.tombraiderlive.co.uk