FAQ

We want to create experiences that delight and defy easy categorisation. To capture that spark of joy you get when you make a connection!

‘The Locksmith’s Dream’ events are critically-acclaimed genre-defying experiences. It isn’t quite immersive theatre, an exclusive boutique hotel, a decadent restaurant and bar, or an escape room. It is a overnight curated experience as a guest in a historic house full of intrigue and delights.

Don’t just take our word for it though! You can read what journalists and previous guests have had to say HERE.

The Locksmith’s Dream has now finished its run, but the story of Treowen continues: the same team now runs The Key of Dreams in the same house.

For behind-the-scenes news, early access to dates and special offers, sign up to The Key of Dreams newsletter.

The Locksmith’s Dream was created by Lemon Difficult Studio, the immersive theatre company founded by Ivan Carić and Laura Langrish.

We make overnight experiences that draw on weird fiction, cosmic horror and folk horror: old houses, older secrets, and the uneasy feeling that the world is stranger than it looks. Our current production is The Key of Dreams, also at Treowen.

We hope so! Both are overnight stays at Treowen with a full cast, a candlelit banquet, puzzles, secret societies and a world to explore at your own pace.

Where the Locksmith’s Dream was set in the world of the Secret Histories, The Key of Dreams draws on Lovecraft and the dreamlands, with a good helping of Welsh folk horror along the way. You don’t need to have been to one to enjoy the other, though many of our Locksmith’s Dream guests have already made the journey back, and you may spot a few familiar faces in the cast.

“Took the already extremely solid mechanical and artistic foundation laid by The Locksmith’s Dream and made it even tighter and just as immersive.”Thea, guest at both

Discover The Key of Dreams

You can download our press pack here. If you’re interested in us running a private event for you, or would like to work with us, drop us a line [email protected]. 

Many of this team continue to work together as Lemon Difficult Studio, making The Key of Dreams.

We’ve had a lot of people involved in making The Locksmith’s Dream a success, here are some of the people who have been involved:

Ivan Carić (Management, Writing, Design), Laura Langrish (Performer, Writing, Design), Emily Carding (Performer), Jade Parsonage (Performer), Dan Osbaldeston (Performer), Rik Sowden (Performer), Ben Reid (Sound design), Marianne Wilberforce (Performer, Props), Kirsty Arch (Backstage, Props), Sarah Binney (Writing, Design), Jonas Kyratzes (Narrative Consultant) Christian Thrower (Artist), Sam Pia Sulkin (Models), Clare Evans (Performer), Sarah Clelland (Dance instructor) Oliver Facey (Photography), Dominic Zeal (Chef, Performer), Bean Travis (Assistant Chef), Leora Bermeister (Videographer)

The Locksmiths Dream is an independent work and is not affiliated with Weather Factory Ltd, Secret Histories or any related official content. It is published under Weather Factory’s Sixth History Community Licence.

(Original concept, design and writing by Alexis Kennedy, original art and writing by Lottie Bevan. )

The Locksmith’s Dream has now finished its run, and we’re hugely grateful to everyone who stayed with us at Treowen.

The same team now runs The Key of Dreams, our Lovecraftian overnight experience, in the same 17th-century house. If you enjoyed the Locksmith’s Dream you’ll find plenty that feels familiar: candlelit dinners, characters to befriend (or betray), secrets hidden in every room, and choices that matter.

Current dates and tickets are on thekeyofdreams.co.uk.

‘Immersive’ is one of those words that is much misused. For the Locksmith’s Dream, it means that the environment, the actors, the props, the sound, even the food is designed to deliver an all-encompassing experience. From the moment you enter the house, you should feel like you’ve been transported to a place out of time.

You’ll have the opportunity to interact with the other guests, the household staff and members of the Suppression Bureau while gathering clues. There is wide range of options available to you, and you need only interact as much as you like – if you prefer to observe from the sidelines while sipping a delicious cocktail in front of the fire, nobody will mind.

Treowen is an aristocratic but informal house. You’re welcome to dress more formally for dinner which we would encourage to make an occasion of it, but you’re not required to do so.

Equally, if you enjoy dressing up, this is a great opportunity to indulge. You are very welcome to dress in 1920s style and you won’t be out of place. As with the whole of the experience, there is no ‘right way’ to engage. Do what feels right for you.

Absolutely. All meals and refreshments are prepared and served by the Chef of the house. We can accommodate any and all dietary requirements as long as we know about them in advance. Just let us know your needs when you book.

Treowen is much as you would have found it when it was built in 1623. As such, there are no locks on internal doors and we cannot install any because of the house’s protected status. Guest and public areas will be clearly marked.

Please be respectful of other guests and do not enter their rooms unless they accompany you in.

Treowen is a beautiful four-storey manor house that was built in 1623. The floors can be uneven and there are stairs to all of the guest bedrooms. The Locksmith’s Dream is a site-specific event and because of the house’s 17th-century protected status, it is sadly not possible to facilitate all the access needs we would like to. Guests in wheelchairs or with other significant mobility issues will not be able to access the majority of the building, and will be limited in their ability to participate in the full event. We hope to run the Locksmith’s Dream in other more accessible locations in future.

The Locksmith’s Dream also uses scent and sound as part of the experience. It may not be suitable for guests with medical conditions affecting the senses of smell, vision, or hearing, particularly asthma, multiple chemical sensitivity, or other respiratory conditions.

If you have any questions we would be very happy to discuss them with you. Please email [email protected] to discuss your individual needs.

Sorry! The Locksmith’s Dream is an over-17s event. However, keep an eye out for future events, where we intend to create unique experiences for families with children.

Sensible shoes. The floors of Treowen are old and uneven and heels or elaborate shoes could trip you up as you move around the house. There are also extensive grounds (lakes, woods, orchards and gently sloping grassy hills) around the house you may choose to explore. If you do, we’ll provide umbrellas in inclement weather.

Please arrive as close to midday as is practical. Luncheon will be served at 1PM.

Don’t panic. Let us know on the phone number provided when you book, and we’ll make sure that someone is there to greet you when you arrive. The Chef will also ensure a warm welcome will be waiting for you.

The address is Treowen, Wonastow, Monmouth, NP25 4DL, and you can also find it on What3Words using trapdoor.arrow.icebergs. It’s a 30 minute car journey from the train station at Newport, or a 50 minute ride from Bristol. If you’re arriving by car, there is plenty of parking available at the house.