Poster Judy
Hauntings of Ye Olde London – Part 2
London theatres are famous for the ghosts and spirits with many famous actors experiencing the ghosts for themselves. So widespread is the belief in Britain that many theaters in Britain have what is called a ‘ghost light’ burning on the stage all through the night. In Shakespeare’s time it would have been a candle. Now it is a single bare light-bulb and its intended purpose is to keep the ghosts at bay. Below is listed just some of the most haunted Theatres.
The Adelphi Theatre, is haunted by the shade of the great actor William Teriss. He was stabbed to death at the Stage Door in 1897 by a fellow actor. Terriss is supposed to haunt not only the backstage areas of the Adelphi Theatre but also the Lyceum Theatre and Covent Garden Tube Station. Terriss is described as an imposing figure, being tall and wearing a grey suit with white gloves. His murderer was found to be ‘insane’ and spent the remainder of his life in a mental institution. It is interesting to note that on the day before Terriss was murdered, his understudy related a disturbing dream he had had in which he had seen Terriss lying on the dressing room steps with blood flowing from a gaping wound in his chest.
The Dominion Theatre was built in 1930 on the site of Meux’s House Shore Brewery. Over the years, many audience members have reported seeing a brewery worker in the Dominion Theatre. There has also been heard the sound of a child giggling. And as with so many other haunted theaters in London, there is reported poltergeist activity. At least one book suggests that the spirit of Freddie Mercury haunts the Dominion Theatre allegedly because the theatre is the home to the musical,’We Will Rock You’.
The Fortune Theatre is haunted by a woman dressed in black, who is often seen in the hospitality bar and in one of the boxes from where she appears to be watching the play. During the performance of the play,’Woman in Black’, one of the actors, Sebastian Harcombe, saw two women to the right of the stage where no living person was in fact standing. At the same time, the leading lady mentioned that she felt that she had been followed onto the stage by someone she couldn’t see.
Her Majesty’s Theatre was the venue that saw the first performance of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ should also be a haunted theatre in its own right. Her Majesty’s Theatre was built in 1897 for actor-manager Sir Beerbohm Tree and he made several appearances on its stage. His favourite place in the house from which to watch performances was the top box, stage right and it appears that this is the centre for the manifestations. Occupants of the box complain of cold spots and of the door to the box suddenly opening of its own accord.
If it is Sir Beerbohm who is responsible then he does not seem to restrict his activities to this area. In the 1970′s, during a performance of, ‘Cause Celebre’, the entire cast of the play, which included the actress Glynis Johns, watched as the ghost walked across the theatre at the back of the stalls.
Lyceum Theatre is a haunted theatre with a unique ghost. For sitting in the cheaper seats in the Lyceum Theatre has been seen an elderly woman cradling what appears to be a severed head in her lap. No-one knows the identity of the ghost or indeed the owner of the cranium (if this what it is). It has been suggested that woman might be Madame Marie Tussaud who, in 1802, showed her waxworks in the theatre for the first time, with one of her exhibits. However, why anyone would want to ‘stroke’ a wax head is beyond me!
The Noel Coward Theatre is one of the more modern haunted theatres, the New Theatre as it was originally called was built in 1903 a few years after the Wyndham Theatre which stands behind it. Sir Charles Wyndham is believed to have been seen walking in the corridors and appearing in the dressing rooms.
The Piccadilly Theatre is haunted by a minor actress called Evelyn Lane, who worked at the Piccadilly Theatre when it first opened. She may not have made much of an impression when alive but she is making up for it now. For it is she who is blamed for the poltergeist activity for which the theatre is known. Her photograph hangs in the theatre offices and when the picture was removed some years ago, the poltergeist became especially violent. Fortunately, someone realised the cause of the problem and when the picture was returned to its accustomed place, everything became quiet again.
The Queen’s Theatre is the only one of the haunted theaters to have a gay ghost! Male staff report feeling that they are being watched as they change into their uniforms before a performance. There have also been reports that some of them have felt their bottom pinched by an invisible presence.
The Theatre Royal is haunted by the Man In Grey that ensures the Theatre Royal a place in the list of haunted theaters. The Theatre is the oldest in London and is home to an absolute gaggle of ghosts. There is actor Charles Macklin perhaps he feels remorse for ‘accidentally’ killing another actor in 1735 during an argument over a wig by stabbing him in the eye with his cane. The clown Joe Grimaldi has also been seen and it is he who it is thought helpfully guides nervous actors to their correct position on the stage. The music hall entertainer and clog-dancer Dan Leno haunts the building. The sound of clog dancing has been heard coming from empty dressing rooms and actors have felt his presence on stage and smelt the distinctive scent of lavender which Dan Leno always wore.
The friendly phantom of actor-manager John Buckstone has been seen many times in the Theatre Royal Haymarket. When shown a picture of John Buskstone witnesses always confirm that that is he whom they saw. As indeed did Dame Judi Dench and Donald Sinden.
Apparently, John Buckstone is still very much attached to his old Dressing Room 1 as that is where he usually manifests. However, he has been observed in other places in the building as well, including the stairwells and once on the stage. Staff backstage have heard him rehearsing his lines although he has not seen there.
Visiting haunted theatres can certainly be a ‘hair-raising’ experience. At least it be if you go to the Victoria Palace Theatre For there have been many numerous reports of poltergeist activity involving, of all things, wigs. They have been observed flying through the air unaided. The door to the room in which the hair-pieces are kept, opens and closes by itself And it is no use locking it as it unlocks and locks itself apparently without any human assistance.
No-one seems to have an explanation for this bizarre paranormal activity.
Please visit my Funny Animal Art Prints Collection @ http://www.fabprints.com
My other website is called Directory of British Icons: http://fabprints.webs.com
The Chinese call Britain ‘The Island of Hero’s’ which I think sums up what we British are all about. We British are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery.
Copyright © 2010 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.
About the Author
My family tree has been traced back to the early Kings of England from the 7th Century AD. I am also a direct descendent of Sir Christopher Wren which has given me an interest in English History and Icons which is great fun to research.
I have recently decided to write articles on my favourite subjects: English Sports, English History, English Icons, English Discoveries and English Inventions.
At present I have written over 100 articles which I call “An Englishman’s Favourite Bits Of England” in various Volumes.
Please visit my Blogs page http://Bloggs.Resourcez.Com where I have listed all my articles to date.
Copyright © 2010 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.
Becca Ms. Judy Poster
|
|
JUDY MOODY BUMMER SUMMER 27X40 ORIGINAL DS MOVIE POSTER $5.95 |
|
|
Lay that Rifle Down Judy Canova ’55 original movie poster 1-sheet comedy western $16.99 |
|
|
Spider Mum II Art Poster Print by Judy Shelby, 26×28 $29.99 |
|
|
Judy Garland as Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester in A Star Is Born 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Garland as Jenny Bowman in I Could Go on Singing 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Garland as Judy and Deanna Durbin as Edna in Every Sunday 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Garland as Judy Bellaire in Everybody Sing 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Garland as Mrs. Irene Hoffman Wallner in Judgment at Nuremberg 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Garland as Patsy Barton in Babes in Arms 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Garland as Vicki Lester/Esther Blodgett in A Star Is Born 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Geeson as Angela Rivers in Berserk 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Geeson as Geraldine Hardcastle in Prudence and the Pill 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Geeson as Jody Kenyon in Sam Hill: Who Killed Mr. Foster? 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Geeson as Pamela Dare in To Sir with Love 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Geeson as Sue Trenton in Hammerhead 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Geeson in Three Into Two Won’t Go 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Holliday as Ella Peterson in Bells Are Ringing 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Holliday as Emma ‘Billie’ Dawn in Born Yesterday 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
Judy Holliday as Laura Partridge in The Solid Gold Cadillac 24X30 Poster $24.99 |
|
|
TRITON offers Original 1967 Poster JUDY GARLAND summer theatre appearance in MA $350.00 |
|
|
A Star is Born 27×40 Movie Poster Style A Judy Garland $11.99 |
|
|
THE WIZARD OF OZ MOVIE POSTER Judy Garland VINTAGE 1 – PRINT IMAGE PHOTO -E20 $3.98 |
|
|
THE WIZARD OF OZ MOVIE POSTER Judy Garland VINTAGE 3 – PRINT IMAGE PHOTO -E20 $3.98 |
|
|
MARRYING KIND 14X36 MOVIE POSTER 1952 JUDY HOLLIDAY $40.00 |
|
|
Orig 1988 Broadway ABBA Poster ~CHESS~ David Carroll ~Judy Kuhn~ Philip Casnoff $25.00 |
|
|
Ballerina Rose Art Poster Print by Judy Shelby, 20×22 $24.99 |
|
|
Jardiniere Art Poster Print by Judy Shelby, 26×18 $27.99 |
|
|
FEAR IN THE NIGHT-JUDY GEESON/JOAN COLLINS-YU POSTER’72 $14.00 |
|
|
Giant A Star Is Born Judy Garland Film Poster $11.02 |
|
|
UNTAMED HEIRESS MOVIE POSTER ’54 JUDY CANOVA $40.00 |
|
|
FOR ME AND MY GAL JUDY GARLAND VINTAGE POSTER $6.99 |
|
|
JUDY COLLINS Colors of the Day LP FREE SHIP Best of 1972 Poster Albatross Sunny $6.99 |
|
|
Reggae on the River #5,Concert Poster,Handbills,1988,Judy Mowatt,Burning Spear $124.99 |
|
|
BOP GIRL-1957-27X41 ORIG POSTER-JUDY TYLER-MUSICAL $69.95 |
|
|
ADV. OF A TAXI DRIVER POSTER- JUDY GEESON- BRITISH X $6.99 |
|
|
Wizard Of Oz Magnet~ And Your Litle Dog, Too!~ Approx 2.5 x 3.5 $4.95 … |
|
|
Wizard Of Oz Magnet~ Dorothy In A Poppyfield~ Approx 2.5 x 3.5 $4.95 … |
|
|
Wizard Of Oz Magnet~ We’re On Our Way To See The Wizard!~ Approx 2.5 x 3.5 $7.99 … |
|
|
The Wizard of Oz $7.21 When it was released during Hollywood’s golden year of 1939,The Wizard of Oz didn’t start out as the perennial classic it has since become. The film did respectable business, but it wasn’t until its debut on television that this family favorite saw its popularity soar. And while Oz’s TV broadcasts are now controlled by media mogul Ted Turner (who owns the rights), the advent of home video has made… |
|
|
Judy At Carnegie Hall: Fortieth Anniversary Edition $6.60 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Fosse $9.79 The 1999 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Fosse celebrates the work of director-choreographer Bob Fosse, one of Broadway’s and film’s truly innovative and distinctive talents. While Fosse’s protégé Ann Reinking (also the co-choreographer) and frequent collaborator Ben Vereen are the headliners, the dance revue was conceived as an ensemble piece, so the 32-member cast gets plenty of chances to… |
|
|
The Land Before Time [VHS] $7.98 This 1988 animated feature from Don Bluth (An American Tail) focuses on an orphaned young dinosaur, Littlefoot, who has to make his way to the paradise of the Great Valley in order to survive a plague. Along the way, he meets up with some other dinos from different species, and they all bond and travel together. On the way, they have plenty of adventures. Even with elements of suspense, this is a … |
|
|
The Wizard of Oz $2.99 … |
|
|
Archer: Season 1 $15.65 All 10 episodes of season one–including “Mole Hunt,” “Diversity Hire,” “Honeypot,” “Skorpio,” and “Job Offer”–are featured in this two-disc set. 3 2/3 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish, French; “making of” featurette; deleted scenes; unaired pilot. **10 episodes on 2 discs. 3 2/3 hrs.**… |
|
|
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 4: 1943-1945 $10.98 It’s more Stoogemania with Moe, Larry and Curly in 21 Columbia shorts–including “They Stooge to Conga,” “Back from the Front,” “Dizzy Pilots,” “Gents Without Cents,” “Booby Dupes,” and “Micro-Phonies”–featured in a two-disc set. 6 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono…. |