Last Updated on October 26, 2026

I am a bit of a COLAB regular. They are a cornerstone of immersive theatre in London and launch several shows around Halloween, and I have been to multiple of them. They are all very good and use a format I love: puzzles and tasks, a trip into somewhere properly scary, a break from the scares and then more scares, and a grand finale. So I was keen to see how SPORE, their new immersive horror show, would fit in.

I went with my partner on press night and only the second run of the show, so a few teething issues were still being sorted. I will be honest about those below, but please keep in mind that my experience was affected by them, and yours may well be better. SPORE is also one of the very few immersive Halloween experiences in London this year, which is a big part of why I think it is worth a look.

MY RATING: SPORE
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐½
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐½
Acting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tasks: ⭐⭐⭐½
Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

What Is SPORE?

SPORE is an immersive, interactive sci-fi horror show by COLAB, set across six floors of an abandoned dental school at 123 Gray’s Inn Road. A forgotten building is reopened for redevelopment, and beneath its anatomy labs an intelligent fungal network has started to communicate. You and your team are thrown into a quarantined outbreak and have 90 minutes to gather samples, decode the fungal language and decide what happens next. The military wants containment, while a rogue scientist wants contact.

The experience runs in four stages: a briefing room, an anatomy lab search, a debate and a final choice. Up to 30 people play in each performance.

My Experience at SPORE

Arriving and Getting Started

You arrive and put on your overalls before starting your investigations. There was a bit of waiting around in the hallway before we began, which was the first sign that things were still being finetuned.

You are also given an optional role, with some guidance on how to play it. The idea is that everyone becomes a scientist or helper, and you are split into groups to try to understand the fungal aliens that are present in the rooms. A useful explanation video sets it all up. From there, the show combines puzzles and exercises that help you understand the aliens with expeditions into the contaminated area, where you look for spores and petri dishes that help you understand them a bit better.

What I Loved

I liked the exercises, which were creative. My favourite was the one where you had to touch the fungi to decode their language and sounds. It might have been simple tech, but it did come out pretty cool.

The expedition into the dark was also fun, especially throwing the bell to decoy the aliens. The fungal creatures have tentacles for faces, and a few of them will chase you, which is when the scares properly kick in. We only got to do one expedition, which was a shame as it was one of the highlights.

I also loved the main character, a crazy scientist played by a great actor who was carrying all of the show by himself and was generally very likeable and upbeat.

What Did Not Work

This is where the teething issues came in, and I would rather be upfront about them. Lots of the technology had problems, and the groups had not been split properly before we started. Splitting the groups more clearly and assigning tasks more clearly would work much better. There was a slight feeling of being underprepared and understaffed, and with only one actor seeming to carry most of the work, the show felt stretched.

The tasks were easy, and more of a task than a puzzle. Some of the machines for the tasks were not working or were not explained, and the ending did not land because some of the tech had failed, which left all of us a bit confused. It is worth saying that my group was made up of strangers and it was not particularly well organised.

The building is also big, and it did not feel like there were enough actors to fill all of that space. I think a smaller, well-decorated area would have worked better, because it would have centralised the resources and the cast.

How Scary Is SPORE?

It was mildly scary for me. The scares come from being chased by the fungal creatures and from heading into the dark expeditions. COLAB lists darkness, haze, flashing lights, loud sounds, confined spaces, body horror, themes of infection and jump scares as content warnings, so check these before you book.

Is SPORE Worth It?

I would still recommend it. It is one of the few immersive Halloween experiences on offer, and for the immersiveness of it I think it is good value at £35. If you love immersive theatre, I would say go, and bear in mind that my experience was affected by technical issues, so others will probably have a better one. I am hopeful the teething issues will have been sorted after a few more runs.

If you want more ideas for things to do, my guide to the best immersive experiences in London has plenty, and my Monopoly Lifesized review is another one I would recommend.

SPORE London: Practical Information

• Where: COLAB, 123 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8WD (nearest stations: Chancery Lane and King’s Cross St Pancras)
• When: Tuesday to Saturday, 20 October to 7 November 2026, with performances at 7pm and 9pm
• Tickets: £35 per person for general admission
• Duration: 90 minutes, with up to 30 guests per performance
• Book: Book SPORE tickets

FAQs About SPORE London

Is SPORE scary?

It was mildly scary for me. You are chased by fungal creatures and head into dark areas, but it is more atmospheric than relentlessly frightening. COLAB lists darkness, haze, flashing lights, loud sounds, confined spaces, body horror and jump scares as content warnings, so check them before booking.

How long does SPORE take?

SPORE lasts about 90 minutes. It runs in four stages: a briefing room, an anatomy lab search, a debate and a final choice. Up to 30 guests play in each performance, so expect to be in a group with strangers.

Where is SPORE in London?

SPORE takes place at COLAB, 123 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8WD. The nearest stations are Chancery Lane and King’s Cross St Pancras. The show is set across six floors of an abandoned dental school.

How much are SPORE tickets?

General admission tickets are £35 per person. Performances run Tuesday to Saturday at 7pm and 9pm until 7 November 2026. Tickets are booked online for a specific session, so book ahead if you have a date in mind.

Is SPORE worth it?

I think so. It is one of the few immersive Halloween experiences in London, and I rated it 4/5 for value. My visit had technical issues, so I would expect a smoother experience once the show has had a few more runs.

I attended the press night of SPORE as an invited guest. All opinions are my own.

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