What is The Key of Dreams? | The 24-hour immersive event -

By Kaoruko Takehara

The Key of Dreams is an immersive, bespoke, overnight experience that combines theatre, hospitality and gaming elements, set in a 17th century manor house in Wales.

Picture of Emily Carding performing The Ritual i The Key of Dreams — (Dee) Emily Carding – The Ritual from ‘The Key of Dreams’ | PHOTO: Tom Garnett

The Founding Story

The Key of Dreams is produced by Lemon Difficult, a company that creates “bespoke and intimate journeys that push the boundaries of creativity and innovation” (as stated on their website).

The company was founded by Ivan Carić in 2020, after he quit his corporate job which he had held for almost two decades. After the death of his father, Carić decided to look at careers outside of his corporate background, and to further explore his interest in the intersection between drama, theatre, hospitality and games. He particularly loves what he calls the ‘liminal space’ between these different areas, as he describes in his interview here. Lemon Difficult’s first venture was the Locksmith’s Dream in 2022, which was followed by the The Key of Dreams in 2024.

The other creative minds behind The Key of Dreams include Laura Langrish, who is both the Co-Founder and Lead Writer, and Leo Doulton, the Associate Creative Director and Writer.

What can you expect?

You arrive at Treowen Manor in Wales (a 90 minute train journey from London Paddington), as a researcher from the Friends of Miskatonic University. The Manor is in itself a character, full of mysteries & secret corners.

From the moment you set foot on the grounds, you become immersed in a world that takes inspiration from the likes of H.P. Lovecraft and draws on elements of folk horror. You are given full agency over your journey throughout this universe; there is no right way to approach this experience.

There are puzzles, rituals, and strange cults. There are brilliant actors who bring the characters of the world to life. There is a 6-course banquet (with seasonal variations!). There are soundscapes unique to every room, which transform as the experience progresses.

What sets it apart?

There isn’t anything quite like The Key of Dreams; people have described it as akin to entering a novel or a computer game. The standout feature of the whole experience seems to be its bespoke nature. As Carić says, you can be a paddler, a swimmer or a diver. The level of commitment is decided purely by you, and can fluctuate as the story progresses.

You don’t have to prepare before you enter this world, but you can also prepare as extensively as you wish. He encourages people to do whatever they’re most comfortable with. It is clear that every person that engages with this experience leaves with their own personal experiences and journeys – you will never get the same experience twice.

The Key of Dreams is almost like a living thing in that sense, changing and growing and progressing as the seasons roll on. Key to this experience is the creative team behind it. The actors come from an eclectic mix of backgrounds, but all share a love and commitment to their roles. There is a stage manager, facilitators, sound designers and composers. Carić has assembled a team of 12 people, and is clearly passionate about what he does.

One of the testimonials on the website describe the experience as “a waking dream; unbelievably vivid, twisting narratives: interconnected – always layers deeper into the mundane that becomes extraordinary.”

When are the Key of Dreams’s upcoming shows?

Their next round of shows begin on the 10th of June, 2025, with the aptly titled Unexpected Growth, and end with Wassail! on the 13th/14th of December, 2025.

Further information on prices are also available on the website. One of Carić’s current goals is to explore adjacent experiences, with a more accessible price point. The team at Lemon Difficult is in the process of developing and expanding connections with companies in related fields. Keep an eye out for this!