Although I adore most dark and unsettling things, I’m not a fan of theatrical haunted houses.
I tend to be put off by the live actors invading my space and relying on the cheap thrills of activating the most base human reflexes. It’s distracting and irritating. All I really want to do is enjoy the scenery, props and artistry of the whole thing. Really, get out of my face and don’t jump out at me…it just ruins the experience.
Here’s a novel idea for a haunted house that does use some of the aforementioned scare tactics, but has a different spin:
In this truly immersive experience, audience members are thrust into a beautiful and terrifying dreamscape of neo-Victorian elegance and phantasmagoric clockwork horrors. Once inside, audience members are separated, until one by one, they find themselves alone, lost somewhere within the three sprawling floors of Abrons’ majestic century-old playhouse. From there, they must choose where to go, exploring innumerable twisting hallways, looming balconies, and labyrinthine cellars. All the while, a whirlwind of mechanical apparitions, wraithlike sleepwalkers, and gear-powered beasts hurtle through corridors and lurk behind every corner and within every room.
Trailer:
Honestly, what I’d like to see more than anything else is a collection of still frames. I’m sure it’s a feast for the senses in there.
If anyone in NY goes, please tell me about your experience!
Let’s add a dose of class to this countdown, shall we? Pottery Barn has a few stellar selections for those who prefer the more highbrow side of darkness.
Last night it was chilly and rainy in my hometown. With the window open just a crack for the sounds of rain and smells of autumn air, I lit some candles, drank some apple spice tea with ginger cookies and painted holiday crafts while listening to a 1960’s vinyl recording of Boris Karloff’s Tales of the Frightened.
Let me tell you, it was a PERFECT evening in the house; total autumn immersion. Sights, sounds, smells and all.
However, it left me fiending for more vintage spooky story recordings. I’ve already found a few, and I plan to put together a megapost to share them…but I’d like your help first.
Please send me any links to vintage ghost stories, radio shows or other spooky treats available to download. I’m on a collector’s mission (from which you will all benefit)…
Last year, I enjoyed a small “nursery” scene in the Spirit Halloween store display (the best part was the old skeleton nanny), but I was not prepared for the sheer proliferation of dead babies featured in this years decor.
Tom Pritchard has one of the most amazing collections of Halloween artifacts I’ve ever come across. I’m a collector of many things…but I don’t collect anything formally, so I always admire the thoroughness and dedication it takes to put together a personal showcase like this.
German lanterns:
American lanterns:
Candy containers:
German noisemakers:
Pre-war masks:
Post-war masks:
These are only the title page images. See individual pieces and room displays here.
SheWalksSoftly 