Jake Orpwood Smith, a 27-year-old scare actor at the London Dungeon, has shared the most rewarding part of his role: watching the relief on visitors' faces after the initial shock passes. He said, "You just can't beat it!"
From childhood tradition to scare acting
Jake's passion for spooky entertainment began with a wholesome family tradition. "My grandparents would bring me back little Halloween treats and trinkets from their holidays in America," he explained. "They really taught me to love all things scary and spooky from a young age, and that has stuck with me ever since."
His grandfather would turn their home into a mini haunted attraction each Halloween. "Every Halloween, my Grandad would buy a scary mask, hide somewhere in the house, and it was up to us grandchildren to go and find him, almost like our own little ghost hunt," he recalled.
Years later, Jake decided to turn this passion into a career. "My partner joined the London Dungeon as an actor back in 2023 and kept telling me I should give it a go too," he said. "Eventually, I took the leap, left my job in nightlife and joined the team. I absolutely caught the bug and haven't looked back since."
Favourite characters and shows
Working in an attraction known for jump scares and dark themes, Jake has played several iconic roles, including Guy Fawkes and Jack the Ripper. However, his favourite is the Plague Doctor. "The character provides great opportunities to really frighten the public on a daily basis, and there have been some strange facial expressions throughout the years," he said.
He also enjoys the new 'Prisoner' show, describing it as "a fantastic mix of intimidating presence and unhinged character. It's got everything you'd want from a Dungeons show: a scary character, intense ambience, and a severed head."
New Curse of the Mummy show
This Halloween, Jake will be playing the frantic archivist in the attraction's new seasonal show, The Curse of the Mummy. The immersive experience brings guests face-to-face with Victorian London's obsession with the occult and ancient Egypt, featuring a mummy that doesn't appreciate being disturbed.
The Curse of the Mummy runs until November 1, with tickets starting from £27 when pre-booked.
