Jake Orpwood Smith, 26, has been a vampire in the London Dungeons for over a year. Here, he explains why it’s an actor’s dream gig

Working at the London Dungeon can feel like a theatrical marathon. Halloween is our busiest time of year. Last year, we had 3,000 guests in a single day. On quieter days, you still might do five or six groups an hour. This sounds like loads but each performance only lasts around three to five minutes.

There are definitely days when I don’t feel particularly “scary”, but I remind myself that it’s still a job. My training helps: I’ve built the physical, vocal, and mental stamina to perform consistently. Even on days when I doubt myself , I usually end up surprising myself when I get in there.

I graduated from drama school in 2023. Like most actors, I start

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