Nightmare on Main Review (2016)

Although the cast is made up of volunteers you would swear that they came from the local theater district. Each scene had extensive dialogue that made you feel for the characters. It almost felt unethical to laugh or enjoy the performance. After all, they were portraying the terrible and unfair treatment of countless lives. Upon entering, the host makes it abundantly clear that in no way are they mocking mental health issues. The goal was to show you how terrible these conditions and places were for these poor souls. Outside of the textile museum they have set up a more traditional haunted attraction which featured the fictitious ghouls and monsters that you see in the more traditional haunts.

The production manager, Beverly, couldn’t have been a better host. She worked hard to make sure everyone was on the same page and that the greeters were ready to appropriately set the tone. The textile museum has ample, free parking across the street. Although most of the building and outdoor maze are dimly lit, a large snack tent provides sufficient light which let me know that the event was being held there, making it easy to find. Tickets come in the form of a wrist band, each labeled as a different accusation for asylum confinement or medical treatment. I apparently fell off a horse during the war and hit my head, while others were confined for things like simply reading a book. The wristbands provided a soft and subtle, yet effective way to get their guests to understand how easy it was to be admitted. The ticket booth and waiting line are located inside the gift shop of the museum. The gift shop primarily consists of books and textile gifts.

The most frightening moment of the night was when we had to stuff ourselves into a tiny washroom with an insane woman smiling and whispering to us. I believe the scene was to demonstrate what happens to women after they have been confined to an asylum for so long. Clearly we were not supposed to scream or laugh and although it was hard for us not to, it just felt unethical. Outside we could scream all we wanted. Some folks had only gone through the outdoor maze and were screaming bloody murder. Quite a switch from the educational style to the fear entertainment style.