WHO NEEDS THERAPY WHEN YOU HAVE PAINT, PROSECCO AND PRIMAL SCREAMING

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Have you ever heard of a Rage Room? Well, what about a Rage & Paint Session? Because that’s one of the many great experiences available at The Splatter Room Studio. And it’s women only, unless you book out the entire session. Picture it: a drink in one hand, a paintbrush in the other, all cathartically screaming together in a judgement-free zone. Spoiler alert: we had the most SENSAYTIONAL evening and I insist you book immediately.

I went with my friend Jayne and two girlies, Georgia and Sophie, who write for The Live Review London. A great excuse to finally meet them in person, and not over your usual coffee catch up. On arrival, we donned our glamorous painting attire; we’re talking full jumpsuit, overcoat, hairnet, and crocs. Gloves optional for those wanting to save pretty nails and wanting to avoid scrubbing neon paint from nail beds.

SCREAMING MAY BE BAD FOR THE VOICE, BUT IT IS BLOODY GOOD FOR THE SOUL

We got to meet the owner, Lou, and in-house artist, Hannah, who were both so lovely. You get two glasses of bubbles included with your session; the rest is BYOB. They kept our drinks on ice and made sure we were topped up throughout the session. Creating art is thirsty work, my loves, so Prosecco and white wine were on the menu for us.

Before we even picked up a paintbrush, we all stood together for a scream circle. Yes, you read that correctly. A scream circle. And we did another one later in the evening too, although to be honest, we didn’t exactly need the formal invitation. There were random screams, shouting, swearing and singing happening throughout the session anyway.

Talking of singing, the playlist was brilliant, with all the songs by women and some proper power ballads thrown in for good measure. Hannah would check what we thought of the songs and we were all singing along. Although, if I’m being honest, I don’t need much encouragement to belt out a song like I’m about to headline Wembley, so I was very much in my element.

PAINTBRUSHES AT THE READY, LET THE CHAOS COMMENCE

Once the actual painting started, we were given a big paintbrush, a splatter brush and a squirter. And a huge table in the middle of the room was covered with smaller brushes, stencils, spreaders, masking tape, paint and palettes. From there, it was completely up to us what we wanted to create. Splat, flick, squirt, repeat.

I had a vision when I started. Did my final piece looking anything like that vision? No. But Hannah came over, gave a few suggestions and somehow I ended up with something I actually loved. It was a chaotic pink, orange and yellow background, random splatters, a glitter heart and a little bit of NSFW Tanya attitude in the middle. I won’t be submitting it to The National Gallery anytime soon, but I was bloody pleased with it. And then the lights changed…

NEON LIGHTS, MORE PAINT AND ZERO SELF CONTROL

Because obviously regular paint wasn’t enough, it was time for the neon paint to make an appearance. Suddenly everything looks completely different and gives you more excuses to add to your masterpiece. Although, what do I do when I get home? Set up neon lighting to show the true effect? Any neon experts, please advise.

A great touch was that when you’re finished, if you haven’t used all your paint, it doesn’t get wasted. You can take your palette and literally slam it against the wall. Or grab your paint brush and splatter and flick it. But the aggressive nature of the palette smash was more fun in my opinion. It is a Rage & Paint session after all.

I also channelled full 90s teenage energy and wrote The Live Review London on the wall. It was really giving Tanya Waz Ere vibes. If you’re going to make a mess, you might as well leave your mark. Even if it won’t last very long given their continual stream of bookings.

MOVE OVER PICASSO, THERE’S A NEW GREAT IN THE MIX

At the end, you get to take your masterpiece home in your own Splatter Studio pizza box. I’m not entirely sure what the actual technical name for the box is, but pizza box feels right. It was quite the conversation starter on your journey home. Now I just have to work out where its final resting place shall be.

The Splatter Room Studio has only been open a few months, but I can already see this being a huge success. Kids’ parties are currently a big part of what they do, but I honestly think the Rage & Paint sessions could rival them. I’ve already been telling people about it and trying to convince my colleagues we need a team building session here. Tell me a better way to release some of that 9-5 accumulated rage.

We really did have the best evening and I would go back in a heartbeat. Whether you’re looking for something to do with friends, a girls night with a twist, or a team activity. Even if you simply need somewhere you’re actively encouraged to scream, it’s definitely the place to consider. Screaming should be mandatory because there is something ridiculously cathartic about being given permission to just let it all out.

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