A brand-new, actor-led experience is set to open in Chester this month, bringing to life the city’s fascinating Roman past.
An interactive showcase of Roman Chester designed for all ages and family members, the DEVA Roman Experience will open in the city in time for the summer holidays, becoming the UK’s only actor-led Roman attraction.
The experience will take visitors on a voyage back through time, 2,000 years ago, to Roman Britannia. Arriving in the fortress of DEVA Victrix, they will be led through a meticulously-designed set by a crew of characters, immersing their senses in a Roman bath house, market street and amphitheatre – watching the drama unfold as Gladiators fight it out to the death.
With seven actor-led shows, special effects, cutting-edge projection mapping and real archaeology on site, visitors will need to adjust to the Roman way of life – or risk remaining a measly pleb.
The attraction opens to the public on 21 July in time for the summer holidays. It follows an extensive investment and transformation by Big Heritage, the heritage social enterprise, which acquired the site in 2021. After 40 years as a museum, the site on Pierpoint Lane will become much more experiential, and Chester’s only actor-led attraction.
