Before you book
This page helps you decide whether DARKFIELD is right for you before you book. Every location is a little different, so if anything here doesn't answer your question, get in touch and we'll give you the specifics for your visit.
If you have access requirements, please contact us before you book at hello@realscapeproductions.com.
Every experience takes place in complete darkness for the majority of its run. You wear headphones throughout and hear binaural audio - different sound in your left and right ear, which gives it a 360-degree, all-around quality. There are sound effects and, in some experiences, sudden movement or vibration. There are no live actors; everything you sense is created through sound. You stay seated, or in PLACEBO lying down, for the whole experience, which lasts around 20 to 25 minutes.
You're never locked in. You can take your headphones off at any time, our team are standing by, and we never lock the doors. For everyone's safety we ask you to stay in your seat once it's dark - but if you feel unsure or anxious, tell a team member before the show and they'll seat you near the exit.
Recommended for ages 15+. Ages 13 to 17 must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult who stays with them for the whole experience. Under-13s are not admitted.
Depending on where you visit, you may be asked to agree to a short participation waiver that sets out what the experience involves and the risks before you take part. Your booking confirmation, or the page for your event, will tell you exactly what applies to your visit.
If you're unsure whether DARKFIELD is right for you, we can arrange a time for you to look inside the containers before you book. Email us at hello@realscapeproductions.com.
Our at-home audio experiences, including ETERNAL, are built entirely on sound, heard through your own headphones in the dark. There is currently no captioned or transcript version, so they rely on being able to hear the audio. If you are D/deaf or hard of hearing, the experience can't be delivered as intended without the sound.
ETERNAL is designed to be heard once, in a single sitting, and can't be paused. If a technical problem interrupts your listen, contact us at hello@realscapeproductions.com.
We recommend listening with over-ear headphones in a quiet, dark room where you won't be disturbed.
If you use assistive technology and have any trouble accessing your experience, contact us at hello@realscapeproductions.com.
Reactions are personal, and a theme tied to a phobia can make one show intense while another feels completely fine - someone with a fear of flying might find FLIGHT difficult but SÉANCE comfortable. Here's what each experience involves so you can choose what's right for you.
Every experience takes place in complete darkness inside an enclosed shipping container, with loud binaural audio through headphones and, in some shows, sudden movement or vibration.
A séance, in complete darkness. Themes of the supernatural and the power of suggestion - it can feel as though someone is in the room with you. Includes short, abrupt seat movement.
Set in a plane cabin, exploring two parallel realities and two possible outcomes. The aviation setting may distress anyone with a fear of flying; it isn't a flight simulator or a crash recreation. Includes short, abrupt seat movement and a brief sequence of flashing light (non-strobe).
You lie on a bunk bed and slip into a collective dream on the edge of consciousness. It carries medical and coma themes, and a sense of surrendering control of your body, which some people find confronting. Uses fragrances. You'll be offered a placebo pill (no active ingredients - vegan and allergen-free) which you're free to decline.
Set in a small theatre, exploring the art of invisibility, with themes of control and manipulation. Includes a brief sequence of flashing light (non-strobe).
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Our shows explore anxiety and fear, but they also reflect on bigger, philosophical ideas. We'd describe them as intense or unnerving - eerie and surreal rather than horror, closer to a strange, vivid dream than a scary film. We avoid calling them scary or terrifying, because that isn't the aim of the work. That said, people do react differently, and if a show's theme touches a personal phobia it can feel frightening - someone with a fear of flying might find FLIGHT intense while finding SÉANCE completely fine. The themes for each experience are set out above so you can choose what's right for you.
DARKFIELD takes place in blackout conditions inside a shipping container, so it may not suit those who experience claustrophobia. It's also not recommended if you experience hallucinations, because of the subject and immersive nature of the work. PLACEBO, where you lie down in bunk beds, can be a particular trigger for claustrophobia.
For some people the mix of complete darkness and binaural audio can cause disorientation, dizziness or nausea, and the shows with movement (SÉANCE and FLIGHT) can bring on motion sickness. If you feel unwell at any point, take your headphones off and let a team member know.
Our experiences are dark, loud and intense, can feel claustrophobic, and some (SÉANCE and FLIGHT) include short, abrupt movements and vibration. We leave it to you to decide whether that's right for you. This isn't medical advice and our staff aren't medical professionals - if you have any concerns, please speak to your medical professional.
Some experiences (SÉANCE and FLIGHT) include short, abrupt seat movements that may cause pain or discomfort. Contact us at hello@realscapeproductions.com and we'll give you more detail to help you decide.
Wheelchair access varies by experience and venue - some shows have a space where you can stay in your chair, others need a transfer to a fixed seat. Tell us your needs before you book and we'll prepare your space. You'll find the details for a specific show and venue on that event's page, or contact us at hello@realscapeproductions.com.
Seating is compact and varies by experience - some seats have fixed armrests, others have armrests that lift, and in some shows we can offer a roomier alternative seat. Seat measurements are on each experience's page. If you'd like to check the seating will be comfortable for you before you book, contact us at hello@realscapeproductions.com and we'll talk it through.
Yes - the experiences don't rely on your sight. Let a team member know when you arrive if you'd like guidance entering and leaving the container, or a touch tour of the container and set beforehand.
DARKFIELD is built on binaural sound: the audio in your left ear and your right ear is different, and that difference is what creates the spatial, all-around effect. If you aren't able to hear both sides clearly, the experience won't have its full effect. To talk through whether it's right for you, contact us at hello@realscapeproductions.com.
The experiences use over-ear headphones, which some people find uncomfortable over hearing aids.
You're welcome to bring earplugs to wear under the headphones - you'll still be able to follow the dialogue. All experiences have loud moments.
PLACEBO uses fragrances during the experience, which may affect those who are sensitive to scent.
Some cities offer the experience in additional languages - you'll find that on the page for that event. Even in English, it can still be enjoyed if English isn't your first language; contact us if you'd like the safety briefing in advance.
We don't currently offer relaxed performances, but as long as you stay seated during the show, stimming, vocal tics and fidgeting are absolutely fine. We ask that you decide whether the experience is right and safe for you, and get in touch with any questions.
That's absolutely fine. If you're concerned that involuntary movements might affect the person seated next to you, get in touch before you book - we can look at a quieter session and, where seats allow, keep the seat next to you free at no extra cost. Email us at hello@realscapeproductions.com.
Anecdotally, people who don't picture things in their mind sometimes enjoy the experience less, because so much of it lives in your imagination.
Service animals are welcome. We'd encourage you to contact us before you book at hello@realscapeproductions.com so we can talk through your visit, because of what the experience involves: complete darkness throughout, loud binaural sound, and in some shows (SÉANCE and FLIGHT) sudden seat movement and vibration, all inside an enclosed shipping container. Your service animal stays with you for the whole experience. We want you to have the full picture so you can decide what's comfortable for you both, and so we can have everything ready for your visit.
You can take your headphones off at any time, though some sound and effects may still be present. For everyone's safety we ask you not to move around in the dark, so if you think you might need to leave, tell a team member before the show and they'll seat you near the exit and guide you out if you need it.
Getting here, parking, accessible parking and on-site facilities depend on the venue. You'll find these details on the page for your event, in your booking confirmation, or by contacting us at hello@realscapeproductions.com.
Yes - each experience has its own content and health warnings, including complete darkness, loud audio, a brief sequence of flashing light (FLIGHT and INVISIBLE), sudden movement and fragrances (PLACEBO). You'll find the full list on each experience's page.
We're happy to help you decide before you book. Email us at hello@realscapeproductions.com.