FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

I have lifelong obsession with horror, fantasy and science fiction. Especially early 20th century writing when a lot of the seeds for later works were planted.

My career before starting down this path was large corporates, especially Telecoms. I’ve a couple of decades experience in process design, operations, business improvement and related areas. A few years ago following the death of my father during Covid I decided to completely change career and look to bring some delight and wonder into the world.

So, we created the critically acclaimed immersive experience The Locksmith’s Dream. A strange blend of immersive theatre, overnight historic stay, narrative puzzles, fine dining and too many other things to mention!

Now, I’m excited to take everything we’ve learned, and what our audiences loved and create something genuinely unique in the world of immersive experiences.

“This might sound a bit mad, but hear me out…”

CO-FOUNDER & LEAD WRITER

I’ve had a lifelong love affair with horror, starting thanks to my cousin introducing me to Point Horror books as a child and watching many scary films with my mum. I often felt that I should have existed in a 19th Century gothic novel. Through my teens and early twenties my life revolved around performing arts until I stumbled into education.

After being pulled in to work on Locksmith’s Dream, I fell back in love with writing. Creating Key of Dreams has been a dream job; it is a huge pleasure to stand on the shoulders of some of my literary heroes and bring their stories to life in a new immersive way.

“Taxidermy isn’t as creepy as people make out!”

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR & WRITER

I'm a writer and director for interactive theatre and opera, working from the Royal Opera House to a sheep-infested field. I love interactive theatre because, in a lonely 21st century, it's a great place for strangers to meet in a shared activity where they're the main characters. Weird fiction's sense 'nothing really matters' feels very modern, though I love it when contemporary cosmic horror believes in something. Usually "people matter to each other, even if not to the universe."

I've been writer-director of interactive immersive shows from the cosmic/folk horror opera Come Bargain With Uncanny Things (2022) to the ritualistic Milton fanfic Paradise Craved (2023). I've also directed more traditional shows, with accolades including being a 2022 JMK Award Finalist, a 2022 Opera Awards Foundation Bursary recipient, and being longlisted for the 2019 Offie Award for Best Opera.

“Shoggoth liberation!”

PROP DESIGN & MANUFACTURING

I've been a fan of deliciously creepy fiction since forever and am especially fond of stories by the likes of Lovecraft, Madeline Miller and James Webster, so when Ivan told me his mad plan I was totally in!

I adore the challenge of taking the "I know it's mad but"s and the "here me out here what if"s and bringing them to life. Also there's something rather satisfying about setting fire to things with lasers!

Coming from a rather self taught route, I very much enjoy experimenting with methods that other enthusiasts have shared with me (although I remain unconvinced by the idea of cutting a tuna sandwich with a laser). And there is a lot of satisfaction in realising the others mad ideas and watching the guests interact, puzzle and delight in them!

“All wood must burn!”

STAGE MANAGER & PRODUCER

Coming from a background of research, admin and organisation, I joined Lemon Difficult with a desire to source cool props and help to document the creation of an experience unlike anything I had seen before.

Having been welcomed in to an amazing team I found my role morphing with every challenge until I settled in to my current role as Stage Manager and producer, which can at times feel like herding cats. I am usually found fuelled by tea and sorting through chaos.

“Make sure it’s on the list.”

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

As a lifelong academic with a love of all things weird and a penchant for spreadsheets, joining the team at Lemon Difficult is a dream fit for me. Presenting my research on Blackwood and Lovecraft at conferences is wonderful, but immersing myself in this swirling mire of cosmic horror, brought to life in a 17th century manor house is something altogether different!

A social scientist trained in both qualitative and quantitative data management and analysis, I help coordinate outreach efforts and attend to the feedback our guests provide us. Content coordination, guest experience, and archival work make up my day to day as an administrative assistant with Lemon Difficult when I’m not teaching at universities in the Eastern US. My undergraduate and graduate degrees are in Sociology with a focus on intersectionality and fan subcultures.

"Did you get that Thing I sent you?"

MORALE OFFICER

Grom is originally from Portugal, and would be writing this entry himself, but he’s engaged in important work investigating the squirrels infiltrating his garden.

He entered our lives because of a mis-remembered memory of the breed of dog Ivan had as a child.

Suffice it to say, that he runs a tight ship when it comes to keeping people cheery and insisting on frequent mood-boosting walks.

“Walk?”