To The Old Vic Tunnels last night for the opening of Lazarides’ final instalment in his dark art exhibition/ experience trilogy, following successes with Hell’s Half Acre in 2010 and Minotaur in 2011. As before, the show gets out of the traps before Frieze starts and serves as an antidote to the bright lights of the Regents Park based fair. As Steve himself has said,

“Bedlam over the years has become synonymous with madness, chaos and pandemonium, it seemed like the perfect theme for a world gone mad. Be afraid.”

It is with this in mind that we entered the fray and after a beer to settle the nerves, set about exploring the tunnels and the pieces hung, installed and found within. And what a treat it was. From the disturbing works of Dan Witz set into the crumbling brick walls to the cinematic staging of Conor Harrington’s paintings. And from Doug Foster’s immersive Psychotron to his frightening yet mesmerising Brainwasher (that no one I saw dared sit in) there was plenty to keep you engaged.

My favourite piece in the show is Doug Foster & Nachev’s enormous projection entitled Lidless which shows the movements of a human eye - absorbing, distrubing and beautiful all at the same time.

Participating artists: Conor Harrington, Doug Foster, Nachev,Tessa Farmer, Karim Zeriahem, Tina Tsang, Tobias Klein, ATMA, Del Naja, War Boutique, Jane Fradgley, Klaus Weiskopf, Lucy McLauchlan, Artists Anonymous, Michael Najjar, Dan Witz and Antony Micallef.

‘Bedlam’ is brought to you by Steve Lazarides and The Old Vic Tunnels and is running from 9th - 21st October.

Free tickets are available here.