22. Haunted Theatres: Show notes, links and further reading

The Bigg Theatre

We start the show at the Bigg Theatre and if you’d like to know more about the theatre then check out their website here. You can also read about the history of the building, once the town hall here.

Peppers Ghost

The show opens with an audience gathered at the town hall to witness a ghost upon the stage. You can read more about the stage effect known as Pepper’s Ghost here.

There’s a YouTube video below with examples of the effect created in glass domes.

Performers from the Bigg Theatre’s past

Here’s some information about Albert Chevalier https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Chevalier

And you can hear Albert Chevalier signing My Old Dutch from a 1911 recording in the video below

Here’s some information about Bertram the magician who was also on the bill in 1896

Brighton Theatre Royal

You can find out more about the ghost stories associated with Brighton Theatre Royal here. and specifically about the grey lady here.

Swansea’s theatres

Here’s a link to Owen’s Time Between Times episode about the Grand in Swansea

And you can hear Adelina Patti sing below on a rare 1905 recording.

Also find out what’s on at the Dylan Thomas Theatre in Swansea here.

Further Reading

Finally if you are interested in theatre ghosts check out Nick Bromley’s excellent collection of theatrical ghosts stories with a foreword by Richard O’Brien. You can find out more about the book here: https://lnpbooks.co.uk/product/stage-ghosts-and-haunted-theatres/?srsltid=AfmBOoqaB0OCHRRAaPFE7ZjBORfv6ft11sHeB1A5P2bW5ZqONo_Omm33