'Illusionist' show may raise spirits and more at Merriam Park's Masonic Lodge

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Illusionist Sean-Paul of Intrigue Theater demonstrates mind over matter as he bends the spoon with the power of the mind. This trick will be performed at the Masonic Triune Temple at 1898 Iglehart at shows April 19 and 20. Illusionist Sean-Paul of Intrigue Theater demonstrates mind over matter as he bends the spoon with the power of the mind. This trick will be performed at the Masonic Triune Temple at 1898 Iglehart at shows April 19 and 20.

By JAN WILLMS

Built in 1910, the Masonic Triune Temple at 1898 Iglehart is the last remaining historic temple within the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It serves as the meeting place for several Masonic Lodges and over the years has also hosted historical groups and societies.

Designed in a neo-classical style, the building has a rich history—and with that history comes the possibility of the Temple being haunted. So, what better way for Masonic Lodge St. Paul No. 3 to raise funds for maintenance and renovation than by offering a show featuring spiritualism and illusion?

Intrigue Theater, founded by St. Paul Native Sean-Paul and his wife, Juliane, will offer performances at 8 pm April 19 and 20 at the Temple. Intrigue Theater had its debut performance at the Temple on Friday the 13th in the month of May in 2011, also a show designed to raise funds for the Temple’s maintenance.

“Films like the DaVinci Code and National Treasure have given a rebirth to Masonic culture, with some of their references,” Sean-Paul said. “Meetings are conducted in the Temple in the most traditional sense.”

“People who work there say the place is haunted,” Sean-Paul said. “They will tell you so, matter-of-factly and with a straight face.” He said there is supposedly someone up in the attic. “During our last performance here, people said they experienced something that was not a part of the act.”

Sean-Paul grew up in St. Paul, in the Macalester and Groveland area. His grandfather was a caretaker of the Masonic Temple since he was a small child. Like the “Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” a current film about an illusionist, Sean-Paul knew at age eight what he would aspire to be. “I have been interested in illusion my whole life,” he said.

Sean-Paul and his wife have performed around the country and currently live in Branson, MO. They offer Intrigue Theater at Eureka Springs, AR. “It’s like Stillwater, but bigger,” Sean-Paul said. “And the town is very Victorian and very haunted.”

The Illusionist and the Medium is the title of the show that will be presented at the Triune Temple.

“Every segment we do starts with some type of real-world premise,” Sean-Paul explained. “There is the perception of what a voodoo doll does, for example. The person on stage thinks I am tapping them with a stick, but the audience is laughing nervously as it sees what is really going on. But everything has a relevant, historical premise.”

He said that for his performance as an illusionist, he channels the spirits of Harry Houdini and a lesser-known Howard Thurston, who at one time was as famous as Houdini himself.

One of the performances Intrigue Theater has done is hold a séance on Halloween at the famously haunted Crescent Hotel in Arkansas, trying to connect with Houdini, who died on Oct. 31, 1926.

“Our performances are a throwback to turn-of-the century type of entertainment,” Sean-Paul continued. “And the Masonic Temple has a venue that has an old-world feel to it.”

He added that although the show may have a Victorian atmosphere, the effects are definitely not old-school. “We have magicians coming to see us, and we fool them all the time,” Sean-Paul said.

He said another performer with Intrigue Theater is the couple’s Capuchin monkey, Frankie. The monkey is dressed in a King Tut headdress, representing the honor in which monkeys were held in Egypt.

“They have found mummified monkeys,” Sean-Paul related. “The early Egyptians believed monkeys were vessels used by the gods to roam the earth.”

He said the first part of the show scheduled for St. Paul will feature illusion, with him channeling the spirit of Thurston. “We never use the word magic in our shows, but rather talk about the mysteries of mankind,” Sean-Paul said.

In the second half of the show, his wife channels the spirit of Annie Fay, who was an early medium around the time of Houdini and had some connections with him.

“Our show is very interactive, and we engage people from the audience,” Sean-Paul said.

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