There’s something magical about theatres. The emotion, the opulence, the sheer thrill of live performance – it’s no wonder those who tread the boards might return to the stage for one last performance from the afterlife.
Let’s explore three of the worlds most haunted theatres.
Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Oldham
Situated in Oldham, Greater Manchester, the Coliseum Theatre opened its doors in 1887 – a stone reconstruction of the original wooden circus building that once stood in its place.
As well as a standard theatre, the building flitted between incarnations of music halls and cinemas, hosting famous actors and musicians including Charlie Chaplin, but his is not his ghost who watches from the gods.
The theatre’s resident ghost was the result of a tragic accident that occurred on stage one 1947.
Actor Harold Norman was, perhaps, not the most superstitious actor at the Coliseum. Although he played the title role in the infamous Scottish play, Macbeth, he failed to abide by its supernatural rules, instead repeating its lines outside of rehearsals and calling the play by its proper name.
This came to a head one night in January, during the climatic sword fight, where he found himself stabbed after a sword’s safety tip pinged off on stage. Just weeks later, Harold Norman had died from peritonitis caused by the wound.
Since this tragedy, his ghost is said to haunt the building, sitting in the folding chairs, slamming doors and hurling objects, particularly on Thursdays – the day of the accident.
In 2023, the theatre was closed, and this could have spelt the end for poor Harold, however, the theatre’s seats were relocated to the Guide Bridge Theatre in Audenshaw where Harold has since been spotted.
However, this is not the end of the Coliseum! After tireless campaigning it was announced that the theatre will be refurbished and is set to reopen sometime inn 2026. Maybe the Guide Bridge will share their newly acquired ghost?
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London
One of London’s most historic theatres, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, may also be one of the world’s most haunted. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as there has been a theatre on this site since 1663.
The most famous of the theatre’s ghost is known as the Man in Grey, who appears in a powdered wig, tricorn hat and grey cape. This imposing figure is said to roam the upper circle, mostly during the daytime, before disappearing into a wall, often in front of whole casts. Legend tells that this is the ghost of a man stabbed to death and hidden in a walled up passage. In 1848, the skeletal remains of this unfortunate man were supposedly found bricked up behind a wall in the upper circle where the ghost appears and disappears.
However, seeing the Man in Grey is said to ensure the current show will have a successful run.
He’s not the only ghost to haunt Drury Lane’s Theatre Royal and is said to be accompanied by the spirit of Joseph Grimaldi, one of the forerunners of modern clowning who – for some reason – asked to be buried wit his head severed from the rest of hims body. His spirit is also not feared, as he is known to be a calming influence to nervous actors.
Joining these two is also the spirit of actor Charles Macklin, who in 1735, killed a fellow actor in an argument about a wig by ramming his cane through his rivals left eye. This spirit is known to roam the backstage corridors.
Theatre Royal, Margate
One of several British theatres by this name, the Theatre Royal, Margate, is another with spirits waiting in its wings.
Sarah Thorne, renowned 19th century actress-manager of the Theatre Royal is one of spirits residing here. The theatre thrived under her supervision, but her passion for it seems to stretch beyond the limits of death.
Her spirit was first recored in 1918 and was known to cause a ruckus when the building was is not used to her liking.
These days, she is said to be a comforting figure, laying gentle hands on shoulders, and filling areas with the smell of her lavender perfume.
However, it appears Sarah is none alone. Guests, casts and crews have reported the sound of screams echoing through the backstage corridors, as well as ghostly footsteps and spectral figures watching from the crowd.
The most infamous of the Theatre Royal’s ghosts is said to be that of a Victorian actor who, after being dismissed from the show for unknown reasons, returned to rent one of the theatre’s boxes. Halfway through the performance, he is said to have leapt to his death, landing in the orchestra pit. It’s said that the subsequent paranormal activity surrounding the box caused the theatre to brick up and remove it from sale entirely.
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The Hawthorn Files 