Total Thorpe Park

Here's a subjective review of the event and below, photos of Thorpe's 2007 Easter Event:

This is the only time where TTP will publish a subjective review. This is what I experienced on my trip, and does not necessarily reflect on the event as a whole.

"This was the 2nd year that Thorpe Park staged their "Be Discovered" event over the Easter Weekend, extending the Park opening hours to 9pm. PJ Smoothies sponsored the event to offer visitors the chance to "be the main attraction". A park wide talent contest took place over 4 days, to find the best singer/performer, with a judging panel including Richard Fleeshman (Coronation Street), Ben Mills (X Factor) and Liz McClarnon (Ex Atomic Kitten). The prize? A VIP package which included the opportunity to record an album professionally, a night at the Ritz and more. The Park was almost at capacity, so did the event stand up?

This was the main attraction. Throughout the day, hopeful wannabes could audition in front of the crowd in one of 4 heats. After each performance, the 3 on the judging panel would give a critique and take notes. Winners of each heat were decided and put through to the final round at 7pm.

Before each final, that day's celebrity sang a few numbers (when I went, Richard Fleeshman who won Soapstar Superstar took to the stage). This celebrity then sat down with the judging panel to assess each finalist.

After all the finalists had sung and comments been given, another professional act took to the stage whilst the judges conferred and decided on the winner. All in all, not bad entertainment at all. The stage looked good, the presenters did the job well and the judges' comments were interesting enough. The final was also well timed to coincide with dinner at the wonderful new Glass House Restaurant!

This was where this event fell flat. Aside from what was going on in the Dome, it didn't look as if Thorpe Park were putting on any sort of Easter event at all. To their credit, I did see a few actors around the Park entertaining the crowds. Particular highlights for me included a lady in glitzy clothes getting guests to "strut their stuff" as they walked past her, and meeting Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne lookalikes by the front entrance. But aside from this, there was nothing else going on around the Park, which didn't really make it feel like I was attending a special event at all.

Thumbs up to Thorpe Park for the Be Discovered Stage in the Dome and the entertainment that it provided. What they did was very well done - but the question on many guests lips was: "is this it?" The event would be much improved if the talent contest was brought out into the Park; to have many Stages where heats are held, perhaps outside next to Thorpe's flagship rides, would be great. More performances by established artists throughout the day on such Stages would be welcomed, too. However, when the weather was as good as it was during this particular Easter Weekend, when the atmosphere was so happy and when staff members were dishing out free chocolate bunnies at the exit - you can't really moan!"

Ben Case