There’s a new interactive experience dubbed the ‘real life Squid Game’ coming to a remote location in the North West – and you can now apply to take part.
Given the popularity of the show, this was pretty much inevitable, right?
South Korean survival drama Squid Game is all anyone seems to be talking about recently, but if you’re unfamiliar with the show, or you’re yet to give it to watch, it centres on a contest where 456 players, drawn from different walks of life but each deeply in debt, play a set of children’s games with deadly penalties for losing for the chance to win a 45.6 billion prize.
The nine-part series has been getting rave-reviews, widespread critical acclaim, and has gone on to become one of streaming platform’s most-watched programmes.
Viewers captivated by the brutal drama will likely have spent plenty of time plotting the tactics they would whip out during each game on the show and weighing up their chances of making it all the way to the end – but now, you can actually put your money where your mouth is by tackling the “real life version”.
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Just like the premise of the series, in the real life version, contestants will be competing for a cash prize worth at least £500 – which is considerably less than was on offer on the hit-show – but of course, it should go without saying, that you won’t get executed if you’re eliminated from the game.
‘Squid Game Live’ will see up to 40 contestants take on five rounds of intense challenges / Credit: Netflix
That said, contestants who want to take part will have to sign ‘medical disclosures’ to be sure they are fit to participate in the games that require some mental and physical challenges.
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‘Squid Game Live’ will see up to 40 contestants take on five rounds of intense challenges – some of which are inspired by the show – and they will be provided with a uniform to wear during their experience, as well as being fed a “hearty meal”.
Live actors will also attend the events to add an extra layer of fear and uncertainty to the games, and there will be some live scenes that parody the series too.
Again, also in-keeping with the show, organisers have not revealed where ‘Squid Game Live’ will take place, and contestants will be picked up by coach from a meeting point in the North West, before being taken to a remote location to participate in the challenges.
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Speaking ahead of ‘Squid Game Live’, Creative Director, Max Fox, said: “We want to make sure our experiences are safe, but still as riveting as the games seen on the Netflix smash Squid Game, but due to the violent nature of the hit show, we want to be cautious that the events don’t attract unstable people.”
Contestants will be picked up by coach from a meeting point in the North West, before being taken to a remote location / Credit: Netflix
He continued: This is a pain-free experience – there will be no paintballs, guns or otherwise, but don’t be afraid of getting wet.
“We want to make the games as realistic as possible, without the risk of injury. Some of our games you won’t have seen before, but there needs to be an element of surprise and mystery so people really don’t know what they’re letting themselves in for.”
Fancy it then?
Entry to ‘Squid Game Live’ will set you back £45, and the first event is taking place on 27 November, so if you’re keen to apply, either call 01325 777843 or visit the website here.
Featured Image – Netflix
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Sir Ian McKellen pays emotional tribute to long-time friend and fellow northern actor Sir Patrick Stewart
Emily Sergeant
Sir Ian McKellen has paid an emotional tribute to his long-time friend and fellow northern actor, Sir Patrick Stewart, following his death.
Sir Patrick Stewart – who was born and bred in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, and is best-known for his theatre work alongside an illustrious 60-year screen career, taking on prominent roles in franchises such as Star Trek and X-Men – sadly passed away at the age of 86, with his death being announced publicly yesterday evening (29 October).
And now, his long-time friend and fellow northern actor, Sir Ian McKellen, has paid tribute.
Sir Patrick and Sir Ian shared the stage together countless times over their decades-long careers, but also famously starred alongside each other in the X-Men franchise, and subsequent Marvel movies, as Charles Xavier/Professor X and Magneto.
The tribute, shared across Sir Ian’s social media platforms, reads: “Before everything else, Patrick was defined by being born and bred in Yorkshire, the proud county in the north of England which he loved to the end. You could hear it in his accented voice and in the stern honesty with which he told you what he thought and felt. Yorkshiremen have no truck with half-truths or avoidance of big issues. He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.
“We first met as ambitious young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company half a century ago but we weren’t in the same productions.
“My first strong memory was a few years later, meeting him in the street in central London when he told me about an offer to take over a leading part in ‘Star Trek’. “But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?”
“Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did, for not just his devoted Trekkies, but film and theatre audiences who marvelled at his using international celebrity to star in a string of cinema successes (‘X-Men’ of course) and in great classical plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Peter Shaffer, Pinter and Beckett at Stratford-upon-Avon, in London’s West End and on Broadway.
“America was his adopted home, where he met his adored Sunny who has cared for him through sickness and health, through thick and thin.
“But he never forsook his origins: and the proudest achievement of the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on either side of the Atlantic, was his appointment as Chancellor of Huddersfield University in Yorkshire.”
Sir Patrick Stewart’s farewell performance will be in Avengers: Doomsday, which is being released in UK cinemas on 18 December 2026
Featured Image – Gage Skidmore (via Flickr)
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Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd October 2021 
