Screaming, body parts, loose patients — these are not the typical things found at a normal insane asylum. The Bristow Haunted House, located in the lower level of Memorial Union, allowed for a good scare. The tension mounted right from the start while standing in line, as we “victims” read the bulletin board filled with missing ads and articles about the history of the asylum.
The Bristow Institute for the Mentally Unstable was built in 1914 and housed the 27 most insane people from around the country. One night, an unexplained fire shut down the building, killing four construction workers and injuring three others. The cause of the fire stood unsolved while the crazy patients remained in the building along with the now- dead workers.
Inside the asylum patients are in cages, receiving violent shock therapy, killing nurses and falling further into insanity. The loud music and strobe lights in what seemed like the ER prevented guests from hearing and seeing surprises from behind, providing a more thrilling experience. The guests were led out of the asylum by a mental hospital patient, only to realize that they are left on the dock of Lake Mendota, unsure if the scares are over.
Compared with other haunted houses, this one had the typical “scary” theme and usual “jumping out from behind the corner” types of effects. For a college student, it was free entertainment and provided a 10-minute adrenaline rush. Let’s face it: it is no ordinary day when you see a conscious man being cut open by a circular saw.
“The haunted house is the first event put on by both Hoofers and the WUD Student Performance Committee combined,” said Marisa Kahler from the WUD. Do not be heartbroken if you missed Monday’s haunted house because this spooky week has other Hoofers/WUD sponsored events for free. On Tuesday, Oct. 28 there was Ghost Tours and Stories, and Wednesday, Oct. 29 is the 5K Costume Run at 5:30 p.m., which will meet at the Park Street Circle and will leave you feeling in the holiday spirit. Or maybe haunted by spirits?
