Doors are for people with no imagination…
This certainly isn’t the case as fans from far and wide have congregated at the doors of the Smock Alley theatre in Dublin. The building, first opened in 1662, sets the perfect backdrop for the live roleplaying adventure that it hosts.
Skulduggery Pleasant was first published in 2007, the story of a skeleton detective and his teenage partner, Valkyrie Cain, in their fights against foes in a world of adventure and magic. Since then, the series has won awards such as the Red House Children’s Book Award and the Bolton Children’s Book Award.
This innovative event spans across the streets of Dublin, as fans wander into the world of adventure that Skulduggery Pleasant is built on. Fans immerse themselves into the story that they know and love, through the guidance of sanctuary agents, who lead the way through the city, to designated situations, brought to life with the help of actors.
The adventure begins with a briefing from the Chief Agent, Mirk, who informs the fans (who are now called operatives) that a serial killer and sorcerer by the name of Silas Nadir is loose and has kidnapped Susie Pearce. The main characters of the story, detectives Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain, are missing and the case has fallen to the operatives to solve.
Following Mirk’s instructions, the operatives take a fish to the first stop, where they find a Troll, an actor with a green mask and his skin painted green. The troll sits in a pit, while the operatives look down from a bridge. With the fish acting as payment, this is thrown into the pit and information is exchanged, leading the operatives to the second location where they are informed that magical glyphs have been found.
Down an alleyway there are a series of glyphs on the walls, symbols drawn in chalk. The operatives then begin the search for these glyphs, noting them down as they find them. The glyphs are obscure shapes and the operatives are soon told that they must quickly move on as danger is sensed nearby.
The operatives are led by the sanctuary agents to a glyph expert. She is found to be stood reading a book, a title that is featured within the series, written by a friend of Skulduggery Pleasant. She then provides information on the subject of the glyphs, though explains that her knowledge is limited, sending the operatives in the direction of the Trinity College Library for further information.
Along the way to The Long Room, the 300 year old library at Trinity College Dublin, a television screen displays the heroes of the series, chased by a monster, the video quickly turns to static and the operatives make their way along to The Long Room, stopping once more as they are met by a guard, Vicious Trap. He is defended by a creature wearing a helmet, a Cleaver, a dangerous guard who should be feared. Vicious Trap informs the operatives of the recent changes in the behaviour of the prisoners of where he is guarding.
Once at the library, the operatives are met by the assistant library of the story, Ms Binder Firm, who leads the operatives up to the long room of Trinity College library. Here they meet the librarian, a vampire, who will give them information in exchange for finding a red book. Once again, the books of Gordon Edgley, Skulduggery Pleasant’s friend, are featured here, providing a sense of continuity in the adventure into the fictional world. In exchange for finding the red book, the librarian rewards the operatives with a letter, before quickly disappearing to take a mysterious shot: an antidote for his vampirism.
Joined by a second group, the letters are read, informing the operatives of an impending attack on Susie Pearce by a Daemon who desires her blood. With strength in numbers, the groups proceed back towards Smock Alley Theatre. Along the way, operatives are chased by a Remnant, a monster from the series.
The group of operatives are briefed by a Sanctuary Agent, who informs them that the theatre is under the attack of Remnants and that they must hurry back to defend. When they arrive at the theatre once again, they are informed of the impending battle that they will face.
Entering into a smoky building, lit by green light, the operatives battle against the Remnants, as the showdown continues. When the battle is won, the operatives are lead to… The Theatre of Shadows.
Here Susie Pearce is found in a circle and informs the operatives that Silas Nadir is not the one who should be feared and that instead the Masked Necromancer is the true enemy… She reveals that he is Mirk. After a brief battle, Mirk is defeated and Susie encourages the operatives to help to save the heroes of the series by chanting their names. The top of a staircase is lit and there the heroes stand, saved!
The Theatre of Shadows concludes, the case is solved and the beloved heroes are saved. The operatives make their way back to the banquet hall of Smock Alley Theatre, where Derek Landy is speaking to operatives and signing books or leaflets.
The event was immersive and brought to life the world of Skulduggery Pleasant for fans such as myself, allowing them the chance to live as a hero of this much adored series for the day. The Senior Agents provide an interesting back bone to the story, as well as ensuring the safety of all who were involved. Concluding with the opportunity to meet the author, cake and refreshments, the positive feedback is overwhelming and there are smiles all around from many delighted fans - myself included!
It brings the series to an end with a dazzling bang, leaving fans and lovers of fiction alike waiting on bated breath for the next series that Derek Landy will grace the world of children’s fiction with. Hardcore Skulduggery fans could also join in the Skulduggery fans Facebook page.
