London’s most Haunted Theatres | West End Theatre (2024)

London is full of haunted history wherever you look, and that goes double for West End theatres.

Here’s some seriously terrifying advice on where to find the most haunted theatres in London. From actor-managers stabbed to death at the stage door to floating heads, mysterious men in grey, spooks in the Stalls and strange backstage noises. London theatres are some of the oldest and most historic buildings in Britain with centuries of murder and darkness both on and off stage. Here we discover where the ghosts of London theatre are to be found.

Also take a look at our Halloween West End Shows guide. And visit The London Dungeon for a scary thrill before or after seeing a show.

1

Theatre Royal Drury Lane Ghosts

Given that there has been a theatre on the site of the current Theatre Royal Drury Lane for over 350 years, there are bound to be a few ghostly stories to tell. These include the most famous ghost, the Man in Grey, dressed in a powered wig, grey cloak and three-cornered hat. He tends to appear during the day, often crossing from one side of the upper circle to the other and then melting in to the wall. Whole casts of actors have been said to see him. Who the man is remains a mystery although when the theatre was renovated in the 1870’s, builders are said to have broken into a secret room behind the wall that the ghost always disappears through. There was a skeleton inside that had been stabbed to death and surrounded by grey cloth. However, it’s not all doom and gloom, the Man in Grey is said to herald a successful run at the theatre, so producers are usually pleased to see him. Other ghosts include Joseph Grimaldi, the father of the modern clown and the whole tradition of British pantomime, who is long associated with the theatre and is said to give a comedy kick to actors and staff at the theatre. He also wished to be buried with his head severed from his body, which would also account for sightings of a clown-white face floating in the wings of the theatre. Other ghosts said to haunt Drury Lane include comedian and pantomime dame Dan Leno.

Catherine Street, London,WC2B 5JF

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

2

Lyceum Theatre Ghosts

In the 1880’s when Henry Irving and Ellen Terry dominated the stage of the Lyceum Theatre, one night a couple were sat in the balcony and saw the severed head of a man starring up at them from a lady’s lap in the stalls below. Who the man is remains a mystery but he is believed to be part of a family that once owned the land on which the Lyceum stands and was beheaded for treason!

Wellington Street, London,WC2E 7RQ

Lyceum Theatre

3

Aldephi Theatre Ghost

Jealousy is an evil beast and none more so than between actors. Actor-manager William Terris was enjoying a run of success in Secret Service, a play at the Adelphi Theatre in 1897. One evening as he arrived at the stage door of the Adelphi in Maiden Lane he was rushed by a minor actor and stabbed. Comforted by his leading lady Jessica Milward his dying last words were, “I will be back”. Sightings in Maiden Lane, strange events and knockings, have all since been recorded at the Adelphi, attributed to Mr Terris.

Strand, London,WC2E 7NA

Adelphi Theatre

4

Garrick Theatre Ghosts

The Garrick Theatre is said to be haunted by the ghost of former manager Arthur Bourchier who reigned at the theatre in the early 1900’s. The theatre is said to possess a Phantom Staircase on which his ghost can be seen.

Charing Cross Road, London,WC2H 0HH

Garrick Theatre

5

Theatre Royal Haymarket Ghost

The ghost of actor, comedian and manager John Baldwin Buckstone is said to haunt the theatre. A friend of Dickens, Buckstone led the theatre in the mid 1800’s and after his death has been seen and heard by numerous actors and staff of the theatre.

Haymarket, London,SW1Y 4HT

Theatre Royal Haymarket

MORE HAUNTED THEATRES

• The London Coliseum Ghost:The ghost of a soldier was said to haunt the theatre after he attended a play and was then killed in action.
• The Duke of York’s Theatre Ghosts:The ghost of manager Violet Melnotte is said to haunt the theatre and is often be seen mingling with first night audiences. Also a bolero-style jacket worn in The Queen Came By in the late 1940’s was said to attempt to strangle any actress who wore it!
• The Noel Coward Theatre Ghost:The Noel Coward Theatre, formerly the Albery Theatre, is said to be haunted by the ghost of the theatre’s architect Charles Wyndham.
• The London Palladium Ghost:A lady is said to haunt the theatre, especially the Crimson Staircase at the back of the Royal Circle.

MORE INFORMATION

• Visit The London Dungeon for a scary London experience
• Book a selection of LONDON HORROR TOURS >
• Halloween West End Shows guide
• Haunted London by Richard Jones – Buy Now
• Haunted West End Theatres by Ian Shillito and Becky Walsh –Buy Now
• Theatre’s Strangest Acts by Sheridan Morely –Buy Now

📷Main photo: Haunted London Theatres