Dolly Darko and the Theatre of Souls

From the twisted mind of Dan Baines comes Dolly Darko, the original séance doll.  Created between 1882 and 1915 by Dan’s past life alter ego, Joseph Hamish Maskelyne, these bizarre ‘spirit toys’ from a long forgotten corner of spiritualist history are now made available once more.

When Dolly in placed in her spirit cabinet and successful contact between the spirit world has been established she will ring bells in response to questions, play a music box and even move objects.  Your audience is told the story of the Maskelyne Séance Dolls, Dolly is placed inside the cabinet with a bell, music box and a selection of toys.  The séance begins…

Inspired by the Stewart James ‘Sefalaljia’ close up one-man spirit cabinet routine (published in Jinx issue #69 in 1939 and then later in Annemann's Practical Mental Magic) the Theatre of Souls goes far beyond the original concept.

The Theatre of Souls has no physical walls, floor or top, only red velvet curtains.  Like an original full size spirit cabinet used by mediums the Theatre of Souls is a simple construction of a topless cabinet with curtains to conceal the medium, or in this case the doll, within.  The solid wood frame can be disassembled for transport and storage and can be erected in minutes.

All of the original Sefalaljia effects can be performed with the Theatre of Souls such as ‘Drinking the Milk’, ‘The Knotted Hankerchief’ and the classic ‘Ball in Glass’.  The ‘Ball in Glass’ routine has been adapted and the ball has been substituted for a small neglected doll’s house doll.  When asked politely Dolly can be asked to take the small doll which is seen to be dragged under the curtain into the cabinet!  On opening the curtains the small doll is sat in Dolly’s lap! You place a drinking glass inside the cabinet.  The curtains are drawn once more and you ask her to place the doll in a glass.  When the curtain is opened again the small doll has moved from Dolly’s lap to inside the glass!

The Theatre of Souls has ten ‘control points’ which can be used to move object around the cabinet, make the curtains move and even throw objects back out into the audience!

Combined with a séance Dolly Darko and the Theatre of Souls has enough material for you to create a terrifying 45 – 60 minute show.

Dolly Darko includes –

• An original Maskelyne Séance Doll complete with wooden casket for safe storage
• The Theatre of Souls (Dimensions - W – 500mm, D – 500mm, H – 400mm)
• A selection of ‘toys’ including a brass bell, music box and a miniature doll’s house doll from the Maskelyne House of Dolls
• DVD and supporting documentation

As with all Lebanon Circle products this effect encapsulates unparalleled craftsmanship and originality pushing the boundaries of séance magic and prop design.

About the Doll

Dolls are made for accessorising and Dolly Darko is no different.  When you commission your own séance doll you will be given a choice of hair style, hair colour, eye colour (note only eye is used however both eyes can be requested) and clothing.  No two séance dolls are the same and the painstaking antiquing process takes over a week to achieve. These are not only magic props but works of art and will create an unnerving focal point for any collection. All dolls come complete with their own straw lined casket and death certificate signed by the artist.

The doll is solid with an antique cracked porcelain finish.  It can be fully inspected by your audience but I can guarantee that nobody will want to hold her for long, poor thing.  She is also fully articulate with moving arms, legs and head.

Also supplied with Dolly Darko is a small doll’s house doll from the Maskelyne House of Dolls.  This small, abused doll is Dolly Darko’s favourite toy and can be made to move around the Theatre of Souls thanks to pre installed gimmicks.

The Theatre of Souls is made from the finest materials and constructed, stained and waxed using traditional 19th century methods for that ‘church furniture’ feel.  Easy to assemble the Theatre can be permanently erected with wood glue or left as is for simple storage and portability.  You will not find finer workmanship than this anywhere in the magic industry.   

Dolly Darko is only available on a private commission basis with an estimated build time of 4-5 weeks.

Read the review on Magic Week here.