Hey there, everyone. I just got word that there's a good chance I'll have some work at a haunted house, this coming Halloween season.

I've never worked a venue like this before, however. Sure, I've done some Halloween shows on stage but those were generally for a family audience which was not there to be terrified.

Does anyone have any advice on how to "play up" the horror angle for sideshow-style acts? (Or basic illusions, for that matter...)

Thanks!

Worked haunted houses for 30 years, the same one the last 6 or 7, and I just do what I do, I don't change a thing and it plays just fine

You might want to try the ghost glass trick. That seemed to send goosebumps down people's spine when I saw it performed at the haunted house in my town last year. As for the playing up the horror angle aspect, my advice would be to stick with just mildly-creepy tricks. Of course, that is just my personal opinion, as I have seen a lot of magicians delve into the grotesque in haunted houses...

Do what you're comfortable with.

I have a feeling Eric won't be doing any magic...

Alright, well, sounding like I'll just do my usual routine. Maybe I'll add a Halloween theme, but I guess I shall otherwise leave things the way they are normally. Thanks, everyone.

Thatmatt (and Mr. Prodigy) I do perform illusions at some of my shows. On occasion they're actually all I do... and I'd love to construct a "ghost glass trick" (if that's what I'm thinking it is). However, this is not my usual kind of show, nor do I have the time and resources to devote to such a grand illusion at the moment.

... I'll probably build one at some point in the future, for the fun if nothing else.