Hopwood Hall College students harvest screams at the Farm of Terror

Special Effects, Theatrical Make-up and Hair students from the college desig the haunting creations

Students from Hopwood Hall College have been scaring fear seeking members of the public for Halloween whilst volunteering at the ‘Farm of Terror’ event, at Huttock Top Farm, Bacup.

Special effects, theatrical make-up and hair students from the college designed the haunting creations, applying the makeup and prepping the costumes for the actors before the scare trail opens each night.

The actors themselves are also students of the college’s Performing and Production Arts course, rehearsing their roles with the help of the event organisers in the preceding weeks to ensure they’re ready to terrify both adults and children with their performances.

Screams have been heard emanating from the farm, as people of all ages have walked through rooms of laughing clowns, hallways of torturous doctors and basements of bloodthirsty dolls, as well as being chased up the farm’s lanes by chainsaw wielding psychopaths (all part of the act of course).

Amongst the beastly creations were pig mutants, undead surgeons and zombies. Every barn had a different fear to trigger in its visitors and no doubt caused many a sleepless night, for both adults and children alike.

Hopwood Hall Performing Arts Lecturer, Daniella Kelsall, said of her students’ efforts: “All of our students, the make-up artists and the actors have done a brilliant job.

“I can personally testify to their frighteningly convincing performances, as I can no longer walk in the dark on my own after this experience.”

The event is held by Terry Bork at his farm in Bacup, organised by his family and a group of specialists. Visitors choose a ‘live or die’ experience, with the latter being the scariest option. This ‘die’ alternative involves physical contact with actors and an overall more “hard-core” experience.

Terry said of the evening: “The event has been gaining brilliant reviews, everyone has loved it. The students have played a big part in this success.”

“I also believe they will have learned a lot from working at the Farm of Terror, they’ve gained hands on experience at adapting their performances with the hundreds of people who have already visited.”

“I look forward to working with the college again greatly. I promise we will go out with a bang this weekend.”

The ‘Farm of Terror’ continues from the 28- 31 October.