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The Ghost of Theatr Colwyn
Phil Batty, Theatre Manager, for many years was always a little wary when turning the
lights off backstage and locking up. No, he is not afraid of the dark but was not sure
about who else was there each night! Once, on a late night alarm call out, he trotted
down the stairs towards the box office door and just as he opened it Phil heard someone
else trotting down the stairs after him. Phil, who is quite calm and not easily flustered,
locked himself in the box office and was on the phone to the police within seconds.
Having now turned the lights on and realising that he was on the inside and could not
get out, as the door was locked and the shutter down, he expected to see the someone
who may have broken in, set the alarm off and followed him down the stairs but no,
there was no sign of anyone! When the Police came and they checked the building there
was no sign of a break in and all the doors were secure.
One of the most talked about ghostly happenings was during Wind In The Willows. Most
of the cast and a few crew congregated in the band room for their cup of tea during the
interval. This particular interval one of the children in the show came in and was saying
how old the theatre was and not very nice and running the place down. As she was
saying this the monitor speaker jumped off the wall and landed on the floor. Now when
something drops off the wall it falls vertical but this jumped off the wall horizontal and
landed on the other side of the room!
The “ghost” is thought to be a certain Mr Stanley Ravenscroft who ran the theatre very
successfully in the mid 30’s to mid 50’s when it was called “The New Rialto Repertory
Theatre”. Do not be alarmed because the staff reckon that “Stanley” is looking after the
place out of hours! And yes occasionally things will move from one place to another
without the aid of, well, anyone! Just remember, if you’re going to be detrimental about
the theatre – better do it very quietly ………………ssshhh!