Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Dock X, London
Cast: Little Little Alex Horne
Taskmaster: The Live Experience is a brand new interactive adventure, where you can compete to be crowned Taskmaster champion. Based on the multi-award-winning hit TV show, this is your chance to step inside the world of Taskmaster and take part in brand new ludicrous and infuriating tasks, just like your favourite comedians.
Battle for points to win the Taskmaster’s seal of approval and be crowned the winner.
From Edinburgh Fringe, to prime-time TV, to the live experience - Taskmaster has been on a journey since its humble beginnings back in 2009. Since then, its taken the UK by storm and has won multiple awards and been streamed in over 120 countries. Taskmaster has seen the likes of Ed Gamble, James Acaster and Jo Brand take on ridiculously infuriating tasks in the hope of being named Taskmaster champion.
Immersive experiences have become increasingly popular in recent years with shows like The Crystal Maze, Monopoly Lifesized, Mamma Mia! the Party and ABBA Voyage taking over London's West End. Now it's the time of Taskmaster: The Live Experience. These types of experiences always instil fear in me, since the Willy Wonka debacle at the beginning of the year. However, this experience will most definitely be remembered for all the right reasons.
The space of the experience is very much just a warehouse, but they've managed to transform it into something quite spectacular (in the Taskmaster world, anyway). Before your tasks begin, you're given time to explore the gardens, bar and the giftshop. With exclusive cocktails, authentic-looking replicas of props such as the iconic caravan, and an oversized pineapple photo opportunity - fans of the show will not be disappointed.
There are two courses available to choose from: Absolute Casserole and Melon Buffet. We took on the former as it was advertised as being most similar to the show. However, as an ambulant disabled customer, it's worth mentioning that this course is quite physical and at times I found it quite intense; although that could be perhaps my competitiveness and need to win shining through.
You can be in a group of up to 14 people. In our game, there was just me and my friend which we really enjoyed but I think may have hindered the experience for others. Greg Davies introduces the experience and you're followed around by a virtual Little Alex Horne and a real life Little Little Alex Horne (an actor who's there to guide you every step of the way).
There are four challenges, and then a final challenge which determines the winner (which worked out well for me as I'd done abhorrently in the previous challenges). Without giving too much away, there's a task which involves having the lowest amount of an object in your group, a hide and seek task, a mathematical task and a physical task. And the final task is one of luck and speed, which it seemed I had both of. Look out for clues...they are everywhere.
Our Little Little Alex Horne was absolutely brilliant and was happy to chat to us, as well as keeping us updated on everything we needed to do. Equal parts professional but friendly, and I felt very safe in his hands throughout. He keeps you updated on the scores throughout in a dramatic fashion, which keeps it all very exciting.
Once the winner is determined, you're able to take your place on the throne, adorned with your medal (as well as a free champion's photo, which I thought was a great touch). And never fear, if you're the Best of the Worst (the loser), there's a prize for you too!
The experience lasts for around an hour but we happily spent another hour or so there perusing the shop, the Taskmaster museum, photo opportunities and making use of the bar. With ticket prices ranging from £50-£100, it isn't cheap. However, there is a lottery with tickets priced at £25 each which is a far more affordable option.
For any fan of the show, it's an immersive experience like no other and you truly feel as though you've walked onto the set of Taskmaster. It's infuriatingly brilliant and one of the best themed experiences I've been too and one of the most fun nights I've had in London for a long time!
You can book tickets to Taskmaster: The Live Experience, here.
**photo credit: Ellie O'Brien**
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