Page Fright

Strange Stage Studios presents “Page Fright,” a horror-themed psychological book test disguised as a 1980s cult classic. These game books were massively popular during the 80’s, and now you can add this faithful recreation to your show.

Crafted with Haresign Press, this Book Test is a page-for-page recreation of Steve Jackson’s 1984 House of Hell gamebook. Using authentic 80s pulp paper and original lamination techniques, it is indistinguishable from a vintage game book and is even fully playable.

This choose-your-own-adventure book starts with a character reading based on how they start the story. From there, “Page Fright” splits into four mentalism routines, each with methods built in.

1. The Front Door | Direct Mind Reading After explaining how the book works, you have the participant open to any page and silently read a paragraph. You can then reveal exactly what frightened them, even naming specific details of what they just read. They then look at any full-page illustration (they can even change their mind), and you name the image precisely.

2. The Basement | The "Barcode" Prediction Guide your participant through a series of "life or death" choices in the story. After they land on a specific sequence of paragraph numbers, you reveal the kicker: the book’s own printed barcode matches their choices exactly.

The Hook: A "guided" choice routine that proves their survival was predestined.

3. The Attic | The Ghostly Message The participant stops at any page they feel drawn to. You pass a UV light over the page to reveal a hidden message: "He finds you in the darkness." To dispel suspicion, you sweep the light over other pages—they are completely blank. The message only appears where they stopped.

4. The Study Window | The Vanishing Image In performance, an envelope is placed in the book as a marker. Several people are shown the page and see nothing too unusual, but one participant clearly sees an illustration that isn’t there. When the book is opened again, the page is gone, torn out. You then produce it from the envelope, your pocket, or anywhere you wish. The book can be freely handled, and there is nothing for them to find.

Page Fright is a worker's dream. It looks and feels like a real 1980’s game book, but is built to be robust for working performers. Order “Page Fright” today, and let your audience choose their own adventure!