In these theaters, goose bumps are not always caused by what happens in the plays.

Anger from below

Huguang Guild Hall is a huge opera house in Beijing, China. It was built in 1807 and has had a good part of history. However, something sinister is said to lurk beneath the foundations: the theater is said to have been built on top of an abandoned cemetery. People living nearby and visitors alike have reported hearing disembodied screams of anger coming from the theater grounds, only to find it empty.

A guest in gray

The Theater Royal’s location, Drury Lane in London, England, has been home to theaters since the 1660s. It has collected quite a few appearances since then.

The Theater Royal in London, England, has been home to quite a few ghosts throughout history. Perhaps the most famous and most watched ghost is The Man in Gray. Dressed as a nobleman in late 18th century clothing, The Man is said to appear only for productions destined to be a hit. It is rumored to be the spectral remains of a body found stabbed and hidden in a boarded-up room during renovations in the late 1800s, and seen by actors and crew as a good luck charm.

One last chorus

The St. James Theater in Wellington, New Zealand, was built in 1911 and, after falling into disrepair and salvage from demolition, continues to host plays, concerts, and other events. It is also rumored to be home to various ghosts. Most chillingly, the final rehearsals of a children’s choir have sometimes been heard by solo workers in the auditorium at night. During World War II, a boys’ choir is said to have had their last performance in New Zealand at St. James before going on an international tour. The ship disappeared on the way and the choir allegedly perished. Workers are unable to locate the source of the sound and report that it appears to be moving as they search the auditorium.

Still on the clock

America’s first formal theater, the Dock Street Theater, opened on February 12, 1736. After a fire demolished the original building, a hotel was built in its place in 1809. The hotel was eventually converted back to the theater that continues to host plays and performances today. But two former residents never left. The first, Netty, is rumored to be a working girl who operated out of the hotel when it went through tough times. She has been seen walking down the backstage corridor on the second floor, where the hotel rooms are now located.

A silent and attentive audience

Now The Palace Theater, the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles was built in 1911 as an elegant vaudeville stage. There the Marx brothers, Houdini and Sarah Bernhart performed. It could accommodate nearly 2,000 guests on three levels of seating, all arranged within 80 feet of the stage so audience members could clearly hear what the performers were saying.

Today, the second balcony is closed, but not for everyone. People on stage have seen dark figures standing there, pacing or going in and out of the door. When they have tried to investigate, they find the only entrance to the second closed balcony.

The next time you visit your local theater to see a play or other performance, take a close look at the dark corners of the room. You never know who or what might be looking back.