Gerri Ratigan screamed, as many mothers would, when she walked into the kitchen to find her 18-year old son with a length of thread sewn through his throat. It was one of many tricks the self-taught magician had picked up during his studies over the summer.
Nick Borden, 18, of Brunswick will be putting his newfound skills to the test over two weekends in October as he joins his brother, Lee Borden, 15, and mother in hosting a haunted Victorian-era sEance at the Sanctuary in Halfmoon.
I don’t claim to be able to reach the beyond, said Borden, who has practiced magic since he was 7. `I just came across the idea and purchased a large number of books. This is an adaptation of those ideas.`
His research began in July. Borden delved deep into the world of Victorian-era fraudulent sEances. He learned the tricks and polished his routine, eventually selling his brother and mother on the idea of putting together an authentic Victorian era sEance.
His mother and brother are confident in his abilities, and will be the first to confirm his promise that `contact` with the other side will be made during the Haunted SEance.
`We are perfecting different stuff. It’s been getting really big and exciting. It will scare people, absolutely,` said Ratigan, a self-described `sort of assistant` during the sEance.
Just to be safe, the mother/sons illusionist team is only allowing ages 13 and older into the sEance room.
Her two sons have always drawn spirits to them, said Ratigan. She said she has seen them herself.
Ratigan conducts a `course in miracles` at The Sanctuary in Halfmoon. The Victorian-era brick building just off of Route 9 overlooks the Mohawk River and has become known as a hotbed of sorts for occult and spiritual activity. It has been billed as `a home of joy, a haven of peace` and `a place of love.` It is also haunted, said Ratigan.
The brothers laugh at the irony of staging a haunted sEance in The Sanctuary’s intimate Parlor Room, and are eager to pull off their dark illusionary masterpiece in a place known for promoting the lighter side of spiritualism.
Their performance is a combination of illusion, acting and spiritual connection for a haunting, half-hour experience.
`It’s an interesting setting, and there will be lots of interaction,` said Borden.
Both Borden and brother have been performers with the Young Actors Guild, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-sponsored children’s theater organization in Troy.
Ratigan is confident her boys will pull the sEance off without a hitch; their only worry is interference by a real ghost.
`There will be the illusion of people in the room, and they will touch some people,` said Ratigan.
`If you’re lucky,` Borden quipped. He guarantees manifestations in various forms, including objects moving unexplainably and the presence of moving lights.
The Haunted SEance will be held Oct. 20, 21 and 22 and Oct. 28, 29 and 30. The sEances will take place at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. on Sundays, with special Halloween night sittings at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight.
Advanced registration is required. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For reservations call 279-4283 or visit www.hauntedseance.org.“
