In a region with so much culture and history, it's not unusual that suspicions, old tales and reports persist of haunted "goings on."
Through the generations, many have come forward to share their stories of supernatural activities, while others battle with sceptics to have their tales believed. These sightings usually take place in older buildings in the city – such as theatres.
Drama and theatre is brimming with superstition. And sometimes, superstition in the acting world extends to a belief in ghosts with many Liverpool theatres boasting their own spooky and haunting tales of spectral visions.
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One of them is Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre, which has been at the heart of the city for nearly 200 years. Opening in 1826, the site boasts a fascinating history – previously being a circus, arts amphitheatre, live music venue and comedy club.
In its time, it has survived fire and renovation. But its old walls are said to see "plenty of ghostly goings on" outside of sold out shows, something that has inspired a new project from the team. According to the Royal Court, the most famous Royal Court spectre people may have heard of is Les Joynson, the caretaker who died in hospital after he fell on the roof in the early 1970s.
Opening and closing doors, sometimes on command, his cat, Napoleon, is said to leave a smell. Another, which is said to have been further speculated following an old ECHO article, features "the Lady in Red." Spotted in the downstairs bar by a Royal Court member of staff – after the story of the ghostly apparition of an older woman wearing a red cardigan was made public – a former licensee contacted the venue to say he’d seen the same ghost 35 years ago, but had never told a soul.
According to the Royal Court Theatre, in the 1970s, a stagehand called Tommy and his pal were working on what’s called the fly floor, set above the stage, where you could see what’s happening below. Suddenly, a man dressed in a Cavalier costume is said to have appeared.
Have you ever visited the Royal Court Theatre? Let us know in the comments section below.
Except this Cavalier "walked straight through one wall, turned towards the two men and then walked back through the wall." Terrified, Tommy and his mate fled. And a more recent experience came in 2006 when the burglar alarm went off in the theatre and the manager had to come in to check it out.
The lift was on the 3rd floor and now it was on the 4th floor – but no power had been going to the lift. According to the team, "watches stopped and one wardrobe mistress was terrified when she looked back at some footage she’d filmed, standing by herself, at the side of the stage." Amidst all the action onstage, a voice on the recording hissed her name, even though she’d been standing alone.
The Royal Court Theatre has recently been looking back at the site's history and haunted tales, like the ones provided above to the ECHO. The team has also shared rare images inside the site from their archive, capturing what it looked like decades ago in 1939.
The Royal Court Theatre said: "It's a lovely building to work in. Like all old buildings, it has it's own personality and character of its own.
"But it's such a fantastic building and space and it's a lovely place to go into and spend time. One of the best things about the Royal Court is when you work there as a team, when you're bringing actors in, when you're doing productions, it's also the audiences coming in and engaging with it, having a lovely time as well. You get to see a chapter in the life of a building."
But now, the site will host a new production, inspired by its history and spooky tales known throughout the city. Haunted Scouse is the first brand new comedy of a packed 2024 programme at Liverpool’s Royal Court.
Starring Michael Starke, Lynn Francies, Paul Duckworth and Helen Carter, directed by Emma Bird, Haunted Scouse is written by Gerry Linford (Yellow Breck Road, Ellen & Rigby) the show is about love, life and the afterlife. The production follows Charlie Moon, played by Starke, who is trapped in limbo – and all the emotions that comes with that.
Taking place between February 9 and March 9, 2024, tickets cost £15. To find out more, click here.
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