Coming 2025
The authorised archive book & documentary
The beginnings of britain's theme parks & MORE
An untold story
Only few know the name in the theme park world today, and even fewer know just how far back Keith's influence reaches — but without Keith's work spanning 40 years we wouldn't have the UK parks we know today.
In close collaboration with Keith's family and former colleagues, this is the untold story of a mortician turned puppeteer and trailblazer of the UK theme park industry — Uncovered for the first time through studio archives, personal records and 40+ interviews from around the world!
ALTON TOWERS 1979-84
Keith's studio was instrumental in the original development of Alton Towers into a theme park in the early 1980s. After lobbying to introduce Disney-style parks to the UK, Keith was called on by Alton Towers' John Broome to help plan what to do with the estate.
It was through Keith's friendship with Blackpool's Geoffrey Thompson that the iconic Corkscrew coaster was leased by Alton Towers, generating initial attendance in its debut year, prior to starting construction on a permanent theme park offering.
Sparks quickly set about creating Alton Towers' first themed area, Talbot Street, and its first permanent rides via their partnership with Mack, including the Log Flume, Around The World and Doom & Sons.
THORPE PARK 1981-86
Following the huge success of Alton Towers, Sparks were brought in by Thorpe Park to develop the recently opened leisure park & lakes into a theme park.
Keith's studio designed Thorpe Park's first themed area and permanent themed rides, including Phantom Fantasia and Magic Mill, beginning the park's successful new era as a pay-once ticketed theme park from 1983.
MACK RIDES
From the late 1970s, Keith's studio became the UK partner for Mack Rides and were close with the emerging Europa-Park in Germany.
Known for high engineering quality, Mack RIdes was introduced to the country through Sparks' early UK park developments, including era defining staples such as log flumes, dark rides and the classic powered coaster!
BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH 1976-1990
Blackpool Pleasure Beach also had a very close connection with Keith and gave him his first step into the major parks league, at a time when the Pleasure Beach was the UK industry leader.
Sparks built multiple projects for the Pleasure Beach and wider town of Blackpool, and was regarded by then-king of the UK amusement world Geoffrey Thompson as "the best in the dark ride business!"
MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS 1997-2001
Merlin Entertainments (and originally Vardon) grew from a small number of attractions, including the London Dungeon that Sparks had redeveloped to great success in previous years.
Merlin brought Keith back to revamp their portfolio, including redeveloping the Dungeon into the format still used today and building new sites. Keith was named Merlin's first attraction creative consultant before his retirement.
CONTRIBUTORS
Robert Florizoone
former Meli Park director
John Wardley
former Tussauds park developer
Mark Golding
Space Leisure director
Pleasure Beach
Blackpool, UK
Sally Corp
Florida, USA
Gröna Lund
Stockholm, Sweden
Tim Rusby
The Visitor Attraction Company director
Howard Kelley
former Sally Corp president
Kalle Justander
former Linnanmäki director
An incredible 40+ people have contributed to the project from around the world, including some of the industry's most senior people, and so many talented artists, crafts and tradespeople across 40 years. Here are just a few names!
FEATURING
EUROPA-PARK
ALTON TOWERS THORPE PARK
BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH
CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES
MELI PARK LINNANMÄKI GRÖNA LUND
FORT FUN PLEASUREWOOD HILLS FANTASY ISLAND SKEGNESS
JOYLAND GT YARMOUTH DREAMLAND MARGATE
LONDON DUNGEON EDINBURGH DUNGEON
& more!
About ThE Project
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We started started to discover the Sparks story after a chance meeting with a former designer and a long passion for dark rides. Initially just researching a few attractions, a phone call with Keith's former business partner Kevin Finn shed first light on the vast unknown story behind the Sparks name. Kevin's enthusiasm and encouragement was inspirational before his passing in 2016.
In 2017, we met with several other of Keith's business partners who invited us to meet his wife Bobbie, in a day that began the idea for a book. Since then we have closely worked with Bobbie, studio founder Mary Sparks, and approval from Kevin's family and the Golding family to research Keith's former studios.
The project has taken us to Germany, Belgium, Finland and countless trips up and down the UK, as well as the fantastic opportunity to learn from some the most senior people in the attraction industry about Keith's work.
Sadly, Mary Sparks, whose work with Keith since the 1960s can't be understated, passed away in 2021 before the project could be finished. Her incredible contribution, interviews and donation of the majority of the studio archives makes the biggest contribution to the book, for which we will always be incredibly grateful.
About ETPA
Starting in 2014, ETPA is a voluntary, non-profit documentary project on attractions industry history around Europe, so far having mainly focussed on the UK.
With 10 years experience, we work closely with many from the industry's vibrant history to research first hand, including interviews, producing media and working to protect archive material for the long term.
(About The Author)
I'm Peter, I'm a themed entertainment designer, design management graduate and archive media enthusiast. I've worked behind the scenes at various UK parks and grew up enjoying rides such as Prof Burp's Bubble Works, long before my interest in the industry led me to the Sparks story. My favourite parks must be any Disney park, Europa-Park and Efteling!
This passion project has been a huge journey of learning and discovery I can't wait to share it after 8 years!
Non-official for any of the attractions & brands depicted and not affiliated with any associated organisations. All attractions & brands depicted remain the intellectual property of their respectful owners.
All archive material featured © Euro Theme Park Archive unless otherwise noted and used with permission from the rightsholders, not for redistribution.
© ETPA 2024