Several of you responded to my post on leads to effects that involved a specific place (such as a room), and a couple mentioned seances, something I hadn't considered all that much. Thank you.

So here's another question... do you have any leads to seance routines (or seance-type effects) that use very little in the way of props? No special cards, book tests, bells, or similar items. A few "ordinary" things like drinking glasses are okay. I've looked online and in my library but have to believe there's material I haven't found.

If this project works out, I'll be making up my own effects, so right now I'm just trying to get a feel for what's out there and what others have done.

Thanks much.

Look into Paul Voodini, and if you want to go more esoteric/metaphysical, look into Bill Montana.

If you're comfortable with pure psychological techniques/suggestion look into my book, link in signature.

Paul Voodini has a Jack the Ripper seance which only uses an ungimmicked set of 3 pendulums in the early part of the routine. Since the pendulums are not gimmicked, you can buy them from any New Age shop or even make your own to suit your style. Even if you don't wish to do a Jack the Ripper seance, its a great resource which goes over setting the scene and guiding the sitters to giving you everything you need to succeed.

I would be remiss if I didn't point out that, if one is not already familiar with seances in general, it would be a good idea to review the classic literature on the subject. Even though much of the material you'll find in those volumes doesn't meet your criteria, understanding the "modus operandi" of what makes a seance work is crucial. Though I suspect anyone who's versed in bizarre magic will take to seances like a fish to water.

To that end I recommend Eugene Burger's Spirit Theater, and the collected Seance Magazine, both of which are reasonably affordable as I recall.

Thanks, Chris. Good resources.

I read a ton about seances many years ago when I became fascinated by Houdini, but I haven't kept up with it, except for loving movies and documentaries about the subject. I'll definitely look into Burger and the magazines.

The Houdini seance on January 8th 1929 was the greatest Seance of all time .. In my show Houdini's Ghost you'll see all the misinformation released to cover up Houdini's Afterlife Experiment with Bess. It's an amazing topic. I suggest you look at the Circle type Seances with trance mediums.. Peter Aykroyd wrote a stellar book about them .. It was the basis for GHOSTBUSTERS....

If you can find a copy of Brother Shadow's "Have Séance, Will Travel," you can learn about an excellent nearly-propless psychological séance.