Review: THE KEY OF DREAMS- THE SHADOWS LENGTHEN, Treowen, Wales
A truly unique experience that goes beyond immersive theatre as we know it
It is now a few days since I left Treowen, a gorgeous 17th century Manor House set in the even-more-gorgeous Welsh countryside and I am still processing the experience. To call Lemon Difficult's The Key of Dreams simply an 'immersive experience' is to sell it very short. Where else can you spend 24 hours with the run of an entire house, crammed to the rafters with puzzles, clues to dark secrets and sinister rituals, where every decision you make may change the course of everything that happens next?
We have been summonded to the house by the jovial current owner Wyn Haffenden who has been disturbed by some troubling dreams. Within the house is endlessly frustrated Randolph Carter, who was also called in to help, but now cannot seem to leave. There's also the maudlin Dee, a historiographer with occult knowledge who has connections with the Miskatonic University to help uncover some of the mysteries of the house. Gothic, ghost-like Lavinia, who spends much of her time in the house's library, but cannot say why she is there and kindly housekeeper Sophie, who just seems to want to help everyone out as much as possible.
This version is named The Shadows Lengthen, the second iteration of the experience from a few years ago. There will be no spoilers here, but it wouldn't be a surprise to know that all is not as it first appears. Strange alliances become apparent, dark secrets are revealed and the history of the house makes it presence known. To get to the end of the experience, the participants have to use many means to crack codes, solves puzzles and make seemingly impossible connections.
And here is the clever bit. No experience is the same, as every decision that participants make has an impact of the trajectory of the story. It's like the most deliciously intricate, furiously intense and mind-bendingly complex build-your-own adventure book that you ever read. That said, you are deluged with information throughout and at the start in particular; it can all feel quite overwhelming.
There is never any pressure to do anything and the cast are constantly around to help if needed. But collaboration with the other participants is essential, as it is absolutely impossible to get answers if you work alone and this is quite a hard thing, for the British at least, to overcome quickly.
The idea is to follow a path that interests you. If you like solving puzzles, there is a myriad of intricate and beautifully constructed jigsaws, puzzle-boxes and written clues to find connections to explore. You can spend your time talking to, or interrogating the cast or you can delve into the secrets of the house library and mysterious archive. There's also a clever telegram system to request information or send messages which can provide essential clues.
Every wall, window sill and piece of furniture has something of interest on or within it. You can join secret groups and societies, making collective decisions that will change the course of the game. Extra clues appear throughout the event so even if you think you have covered an area, new and intriguing items pop up.
Events and stories take darker turns as the light fades, but there is no reliance on sudden scares or loud bangs. You can make yourself so busy you won't have time to pause for breath or you can take time out whenever you like, having a hot drink or cocktails while the other participants get on with their own tasks. You can even find items in or just wander around the incredible gardens-just don't disturb the sheep.
It is simply mindblowing how the cast handle it all with such slickness. The actors are all astonishing, staying completely in character throughout; that means even as we have meals together, we can pick up new details as Wyn delivers our main course or Dee has strong words with Carter over the pudding. Each actor has a guide to their character and a rough idea of where the story could go, but all have to adapt incredibly quickly to what the audience does and says. It's a real feat of ingenuity, endurance and intelligence and it's amazing how invested you become with the actors and their stories.
Rik Sowden is amiable and incredibly approachable as Wyn, the slightly bewildered owner of Treowen who has intricate knowledge of the history of the house, but not necessarily what that knowledge might cost him. Dan Osbaldeston is intriguing and increasingly frustrated as Carter, the main character based on the H.P Lovecraft books, constantly with a glass of Diet Coke in hand.
As Dee, Emily Carding (who is also creative associate) is laconic and seemingly aloof, but shows the greatest character arc as the story progresses. They show a real darkness and grim determination, moving to moments of torment and despair. It's a very powerful performance and must be utterly exhausting. Heather Rose-Andrews is charming and mysterious as Lavinia, mischievious and curious, with a much darker side.
There must be three of Marianne Wilberforce, who seems to be constantly available to everyone to help if needed, giving encouragement and small nudges to make you feel you are making progress when things get tricky.
Lemon Difficult-the name taken from a quote from the 2009 film In the Loop, a spin-off of the political satire series The Thick of It- has put in a mind-bending amount of work and consideration into the experience. Co-founder and creative director Ivan Carić, alongside co-founder and writer Laura Langrish (whose guest blog you can read here), and props designer Marianne Wilberforce have created something that doesn't feel like immersive theatre in the usual sense, but 24 hours of complete submersion into another world.
It is necessary to evaluate the price of the experience. At £450 per person there is no avoiding the fact that it is an investment to take part. However, hospitality at Twickenham or even a day at Glyndebourne would be comparable in cost and they would not come with lunch, afternoon tea, dinner (with cheese by candlight in the Snug) and breakfast in the morning.
It is possible to stay overnight at Treowen itself, with prices starting at £350. This is not essential, but it is highly convenient as the first day ends towards midnight and starts again before 9am. The rooms themselves are incredibly atmospheric with original beams, creaking floorboards and banging radiators, but the lack of additions such as fluffy towels and shower gel feel a little mean for the price.
Like much of the industy, immersive theatre companies are having a tough time. Layered Reality, the company behind Elvis Evolution and an immersive experience inspired by The War of the Worlds, ceased trading very recently, with a loss of 60 jobs. Lemon Difficult (like Punchdrunk) are doing something truly unique, which is both rare and valuable.
If you are a fan of immersive theatre, you will be in total heaven at The Key of Dreams. If you are not, this is the one experience that may just change your mind.
Read The Key of Dreams lead writer, Laura Langrish's, guest blog here.
The Key of Dreams-The Shadows Lengthen runs at Treowen, Wales, until 7 November 2026
Image Credits: Lemon Difficult
Lemon Difficult's current other projects include:
- The First Harvest: Ancient Folk traditions in modern rural Wales - A mockumentary about the events around their Chapter 1 season finale - Coming August 2026
- Voices in the Dark: A Short Exploration of Meaning and Connectivity Through Stories (Shared and Collected) from Treowen House - A solo play written by JD Henshaw featuring Lavinia - Premiering at Necronomicon 2026 in Providence, Rhode Island
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