When science meets séance

Four would-be ghost hunters are being sought to face their darkest fears and spend the evening in one of Nottingham’s most notorious haunted venues as part of a live experiment into the paranormal.

Watched by an audience via a live link-up to the Broadway Cinema, the team of amateur paranormal investigators will have their nerves tested to the limit as they conduct a range of tests to detect the presence of an unearthly spirit in the basement of Lee Rosy’s Tea Shop on Broad Street in the city.

Devised by the science performance company Thrill Laboratory in collaboration with Horizon Digital Economy Research at The University of Nottingham, The Experiment Live will use cutting-edge medical technology to monitor how the investigators react to their haunting experience.

The team will be guided through the experience by Thrill Laboratory’s Brendan Dare. Dare, the world’s first Thrill Engineer, said: “This is an incredible opportunity for people with an interest in the paranormal to explore the darkest most recesses of their minds and test the parameters of their beliefs.

“Successful applicants will be trained on the night and are promised an experience they won’t forget…without counselling.”

The pre-Halloween event takes place on Friday October 28 from 10pm to 11pm as part of the Broadway’s annual Mayhem Horror Festival.

An audience at the Broadway will watch live via CCTV cameras as the investigators enter the basement at Lee Rosy’s, which is said to be haunted by a mysterious ghost dubbed The Sobbing Boy. Staff and customers claim to have heard crying from behind the solid walls of the basement, puddles of water have appeared out of nowhere and cups have ‘jumped’ from tables.

The team will be hooked up to a range of biosensors monitoring their heart rate, respiration and sweat levels and will be asked to perform a series of tests including using psychokinesis to encourage spirits to physically move a ball, measuring changes in temperature and electrical activity and conducting a séance.

Back in the cinema, the audience will be able to watch events as they unfold, while seeing the results feeding through from the biosensors through a series of on-screen graphics.

Many of the technologies used for the experiment have been developed in collaboration with scientists at the University’s Horizon Digital Economy Research, including the biosensors, live link-up and the graphics used for the cinematic experience.

Dare added: “We have obviously planned a series of tasks for our investigators but other than that it is an experiment and the results are unpredictable. Who knows what will happen?”

Intrepid ghost hunters can apply to be part of the team of investigators by completing an application form at http://tiny.cc/TheExperiment Tickets to be part of the audience on the night of The Experiment are free but must be pre-booked through the Broadway.

The event is part of the Broadway’s annual Halloween event, the Mayhem Horror Film Festival, which this year runs from Thursday October 27 to Monday October 31. Other highlights will include a screening of the 2011 British thriller The Awakening with special guests, director and writer Nick Murphy and writer Stephen Volk; a Halloween fancy dress party; a quiz night on the horror genre; and a free evening of chilling ghost stories.