Spirits Were High at "Psychic & Science"
Psychic & Science: The Theatre Show
I'll be honest with you; I didn't know what to expect. As somebody who has been fascinated by the paranormal for many years, I attended the Psychic & Science theatre show in Coventry with an open mind. I also don't mind admitting something else: I was slightly nervous. Proclaiming itself to be a serious investigation into the paranormal, with moments of "extreme tension" and a "lock-down" during the show, my anticipation and tension was almost tangible – but I feel this added to my experience of the night.
Host Paul Gannon gears up for some ghost-busting before the show
Hosted by Paul Gannon (comedian, director and actor), the night began with a few giggles. It was a nice approach; Gannon's enthusiasm, wit and humour added a nice touch to the evening, breaking nicely into the tense atmosphere that had been created by the team as they came on stage and explained what the audience could expect from the night. Solo vigils into haunted areas of the theatre, seances, table-tipping and ouija board sessions were all on the menu, as was a session with medium Chris Conway and a talk about the history of the location by Richard Felix.
Co-host of the show and founder of paranormal group, Compass Paranormal, Denise Mott, preparing for the show
I have to say, I was impressed. Not only by the detailed information given to the audience about spirits, ghost-hunting techniques and experiences by Richard Felix, but also by Chris Conway. Medium on Most Haunted through series 13 and 14, I was already quite familiar with his work and his approach, but seeing the man in action on stage was something else altogether: he was magnetic – the audience was captivated as he tuned into the spirits of the theatre, and also passing on messages to audience members. His precision, warmth and wealth of knowledge was a wonderful aspect to the show, and I felt his section could have gone on longer, as people seemed to enjoy the segment he led on stage.
Medium Chris Conway relaxes before taking to the stage
Denise Mott (paranormal investigator and founder of UK paranormal group, Compass Paranormal) made a wonderful co-host; her on-stage chemistry with Paul Gannon made for fun and entertaining viewing. Having said that, she took her role – and the evening itself – very seriously. One of the things I liked, and appreciated about the show itself, was there were no cheap shocks, no cheap tactics – all of it was real, genuine, nothing manufactured or faked. It was a show to be taken with respect – people were encouraged to enjoy the night, but to show regard and sensitiveness to what the team were trying to achieve: contact with the spirit world.
The show did not fail to deliver – messages came through (though slowly at first) on the Ouija Board. The table tipping experiment (which I took part in, after swallowing my nervousness!) was particularly astounding: at one point, when the group, led by Richard Felix, placed hands onto the table edge, it swooped its way across the floor, leaving the participants strugging to follow it across the stage. One of the things I particularly enjoyed about Psychic & Science was the way in which the audience played an integral part of the process. This was not a show to attend and sit back – it was a show to push you into thinking, asking, talking, taking part. Many audience members were invited on stage to get involved with the planned experiments.
I did not come away disappointed. Psychic & Science did deliver what was promised: a tense evening of paranormal investigation. I felt I had seen enough to convince me the team had made contact with spirit during the evening, but I believe even if you are a sceptic, there is something in this show for you. If you can leave your preconceived ideas at the door, and enter with an open mind, there is enough history, discussion, experiment and visual richness to keep even the most ardent sceptic entertained.
Most Haunted's Richard Felix
Would I go again? Most definitely. I found the evening to be interesting, entertaining, atmospheric and very well put together. For something which has never been done quite like this before, I felt the Psychic & Science Team did an incredible job of putting this unusual show together, and I had a fantastic night.
After the show, I chatted to historian Richard Felix. "The only thing," he said, "is the lack of time. We have two hours, but we could go on all night!" And I couldn't agree more. I, personally, couldn't get enough of this unique show, and I'd recommend it to anybody who wants to enjoy a night out with a difference!
Chris Conway and Fiona Dodwell, as the show finishes
The Psychic & Science show is still on tour, with many dates coming up in the UK and US. To find out more, please visit the Psychic & Science website: www.psychicandscience.com
To visit Compass Paranormal (the paranormal group led by Denise Mott) please visit: http://www.compassparanormalevents.co.uk
To learn about medium Chris Conway, visit his page: http://mediumchrisconway.com/index.html
Photos taken by Fiona Dodwell
*Last photograph of Conway and Dodwell, taken by Karen M. of Compass Paranormal
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