Hit ITV game show The Cube has become a live attraction in Manchester - where friends can go to pit their wits in a number of extraordinary mental and physical challenges in the show's iconic perspex boxes.
The Cube Live forms part of the spectacular new multi-million pound entertainment complex Urban Playground that will open to the public from February 10 inside the Manchester Arndale centre.
We headed for a sneak preview this week to walk through the hi-tech new game experience - where fans of the ITV show will get to try the same nerve-wracking games that contestants have tackled over the years inside the neon-lit game cubes.
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Groups of 2-4 people can take on The Cube and compete in 7 different challenges per session which include a mix of individual and group games.
The Urban Playground venue also boasts a new tech-infused mini golf course Putters with the option of a 9-hole or 18-hole course, alongside the first UK branch of international burger bar The Butcher.
It has all been designed by renowned international architects Baranowitz + Kronenberg (B+K), who say they have "created a world of exploration that sparks play and social interaction".
The Urban Playground venue has taken over the former Dorothy Perkins/Arcadia stores on the upper floor of the Manchester Arndale centre, and stretches over two floors and 4,000 square metres.
It is the first time ever that fans of The Cube can get to experience it live, and offers teams of up to four the chance to play the games, competing in the seemingly simple tasks but within the high pressure confines of the iconic perspex boxes.
Urban Playground has worked in partnership with the hit show's producers Objective Media Group to bring the show to life as the new attraction.
Choosing seven iconic games, both for single player and two players, that featured on the original TV series which was hosted by This Morning star Philip Schofield, team-mates have to overcome extreme nerves and intense pressure as they take on The Cube.
Tickets to play The Cube Live will range from £30 up to £45, and bookings are now live ahead of the full launch on February 10.
Manchester is the first city to launch an Urban Playground attraction, but investors are already securing other sites across the UK for expansion of the brand.
So what's it like? We take on The Cube
As I nervously prepare to enter the first game on The Cube, original show host Philip Schofield appears on a video screen to tell us just what we can expect from the TV show-turned-live-attraction here in Manchester.
And he reminds us, rather menacingly, that only one person has ever beaten The Cube.
The fact that person was a superhuman athletic god - eg Olympics legend Sir Mo Farah - is not making me fancy my chances much on my debut run through this multi-million pound attraction.
While in my head I envisaged myself to be some kind of Lara Croft, nimbly limboing blindfolded over laser beams, the reality soon hit me that I couldn't actually even balance for around 5 seconds on a wooden pole for our first challenge in The Cube without wobbling off.
I also discovered I have zero ball control, which is also pretty key seeing as a whole host of the games involve juggling a load of balls in one way or another.
In fact, it turned out I have neither physical nor mental dexterity on my side - which are both quite key to being any good at The Cube.
My colleagues Anthony and Elliot seemed to be pretty hot on most of the games though (to my annoyance) so they are clearly doable if you've kept a close eye on the TV show over the years.
Although working together on some of the games, we did manage to impress one of The Cube guides with our nimble and steely accuracy at throwing balls at two targets at exactly the same time. A bit of a fluke if you ask me.
But nothing can quite prepare you for the dread of the memory challenge when you try to walk through the grid - you get three gos of course, but the meanie Cube only shows you the route ONCE for heaven's sake.
I'm pretty sure Sir Mo will keep his crown intact as the only person to beat The Cube, if my woeful efforts are anything to go by.
Still, it's loads of fun giving it a good try - and the only prize you're competing for here is to get your name in lights on the leader board for most points scored in the challenges.
And it's certainly a slick and visually dazzling new addition to the city's entertainment scene - and an interesting bit of diversification for the Manchester Arndale Centre's offering.
For revellers will be able to make a proper night of it here at Urban Playground - there's a stylish cocktail bar area when you first enter as well as the new The Butcher burger bar - and you are allowed to take your drinks around with you as you play the games (there are tables where you can leave your drinks and lots of hand sanitising stations at each Cube game).
What are the opening times?
The Cube Live and Urban Playground will formally open to the public from Thursday, February 10, 2022.
The venue is located on the upper floor of the Manchester Arndale Centre, closest to the Exchange Square entrance. Visitors to Urban Playground out of the mall's usual retail hours will still be able to access the venue and the Arndale car park via a pre-determined route.
Under 16s are not permitted after 7pm, and participants in The Cube must be aged 12 or over, while participants at Putters golf must be aged 9 or over.
The Cube Live opening times:
(approx 1hr 30 mins session)
Mon - Fri: 11am – 10.30pm
Saturday: 10am - 11pm
Sunday: 11am – 7.30pm
Putters opening times:
(approx. 45 minutes session)
Mon - Fri: 11am – 9.45pm
Saturday: 10am – 10.15pm
Sunday: 11am – 6.00pm
What are the prices?
Putters golf course -
9 holes - per adult £9, per child £7
18 holes - per adult £15, per child £12
The Cube Live
To play The Cube, you purchase one ticket that is for two players, which is priced from £60 to £90 (which admits two people) depending on the time slot you choose.
Tickets for both attractions can be booked now by clicking here.
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