Top pick for the weekend: Join the free London citywide hunt for the Golden Key

The Golden Key, which features a free treasure hunt, theatre, games and performance for all ages, will take place in key attractions across the city this Saturday October 15.
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Over 30 independent theatre companies and 200 performers will take to the streets of London this weekend, as part of a free immersive theatre experience.

The Golden Key, which features a mass treasure hunt, theatre, games and performance for all ages, will take place in key attractions across the city this Saturday October 15.

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From 12pm to 9pm, St Paul’s Cathedral Churchyard, the historic Guildhall Yard, and the London Wall High Walks will host street festivals, featuring giant puppets, circus performers, contemporary dancers, jugglers, storytellers, and interactive theatre.

The Golden Key will feature performances from over 200 performers.The Golden Key will feature performances from over 200 performers.
The Golden Key will feature performances from over 200 performers.

The immersive theatre experience is being brought to London by Bafta-winning charity Coney and Friends and will bring London’s stories to life in an extravaganza of fun.

A pop-up storytelling promenade will share the lesser-known stories of the city, from ancient tales of Roman Londinium to shopkeepers and suffragettes.

A giant key will rest in Guildhall Yard around which acrobatic dancers, brass bands, and stilt walkers will perform throughout the day.

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Meanwhile, Guildhall’s underground crypt will take on London’s Soho crowd with drag and cabaret performances, as well as DJs.

Guildhall’s Great Hall will house Future City, where London’s young people are invited to reimagine and build their dream city.

The Golden Key is a free immersive city wide event. Credit: Simon JacobsThe Golden Key is a free immersive city wide event. Credit: Simon Jacobs
The Golden Key is a free immersive city wide event. Credit: Simon Jacobs

And Guildhall’s Roman Amphitheatre will host a dazzling circus show.

St Paul’s Churchyard will host a bustling marketplace, inspired by Cheapside, home to one of London’s oldest markets.

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There will be interactive performances from poetry to puppetry, an outdoor circus show, and musical acts spanning the rich folk tunes of Eastern Europe, to pulsating rhythms from Africa and Cuba.

Audiences are invited to join The Hunt to crack the riddles and rhymes of the City of London and find the prize of a golden key.

In order to take part visitors must find the riddle in a printed copy of London’s Assorted Mythologies and Enigmas in Rhyme, which can be picked up from any of the fairs.

Whoever answers the riddle best, wins the golden key.

Chris Hayward, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation said: “This is set to be one of London’s most special and spectacular events, attracting a huge audience from across the capital and well beyond.

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“We’re promising fantastic fun for everyone– and best of all it’s free.

“For one extraordinary day, the incredible story of the City will be brought to life, and visitors will be able to savour a huge array of exciting venues, hidden spaces, must-see attractions, and captivating interactive performances.

To find out more about the  Golden Key free immersive event, visit their website.