Discover London's most-haunted theatres

London is steeped in haunted history – and nowhere is that more true than in the West End. Behind the red velvet curtains lie stories of murder, mystery and mayhem.

From actor-managers stabbed to death at the stage door to floating heads, grey-clad phantoms, and ghostly whispers in the stalls, London’s theatres are ironically alive with spirits of the dead. Here’s where to find the most haunted theatre in London (if you dare!)

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Given that there has been a theatre on the site of the current Theatre Royal Drury Lane for over 350 years, it’s no surprise that there are a few ghostly stories to tell.

Its most famous ghost, the Man in Grey, apparently dresses in a powdered 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 before melting into the wall. Whole casts of actors have been said to see him.

Who the man is remains a mystery, although builders conducting renovations in the 1870s are said to have broken into a secret room behind the wall, which the ghost always disappears through. The story goes that there was a skeleton inside that secret room had been stabbed to death and was surrounded by grey cloth.

However, the Man in Grey is said to herald a successful run at the theatre, so producers are usually pleased to see him.

Other ghosts seen at the theatre include Joseph Grimaldi – the father of the modern clown and the whole tradition of British pantomime. Grimaldi has long been associated with the theatre and is said to give a comedy kick to actors and staff there.

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.

Visit Theatre Royal Drury Lane – Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF

Lyceum Theatre

The Lyceum Theatre, currently home of Disney’s The Lion King, supernatural lore began during a performance in the 1880s.

A couple sat in the balcony felt the area around them get colder, and looked down to see a lady sat in the stalls below holding the severed head of a man, which was staring up at them.

Who the ghoulish man and woman were remains a mystery, but the man is believed to have been part of a family that once owned the land on which the Lyceum stands, and was beheaded for treason.

Visit Lyceum Theatre – Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7RQ

Adelphi Theatre

Jealousy is an evil beast and none more so than between actors.

Actor and manager William Terriss was enjoying a run of success in the play Secret Service at the Adelphi Theatre in 1897, until he arrived at the theatre’s one evening only to be stabbed by a minor actor. Terriss was apparently comforted by his leading lady, Jessica Milward, and his dying last words were, “I will be back”.

Sightings of him have happened constantly since the late 1800s, including knockings at the theatre, as well as signs of him around the Convent Garden area.

Visit Adelphi Theatre – Strand, London, WC2E 7NA

Garrick Theatre

From doors suddenly slamming, to unexplained electrical faults and strange knocks The Garrick Theatre is said to be haunted by the ghost of Arthur Bourchier, who was its manager in the early 1900s.

Other reports include sightings of Bourchier walking up and down a specific staircase, known as the Phantom Staircase, which leads directly from his former living quarters down to the stage. Actors and crew members have also said they’ve had feelings a sudden tap on the back or shoulder, supposedly from Bourchier offering encouragement or reminding them he is still around, and construction workers claimed to have seen him standing watch over the work when renovating the theatre in the ’90s.

Visit Garrick Theatre – Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0HH

Theatre Royal Haymarket

The ghost of actor, comedian and manager John Baldwin Buckstone is said to haunt the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

A friend of Dickens, Buckstone led the theatre in the mid-1800, and has been seen and heard by numerous actors and staff of the theatre since his death in 1879. It was reported by The Daily Telegraph in 2009, for instance, that two-time Olivier Award-winning actor Patrick Stewart saw the ghost standing in the wings during a performance of Waiting for Godot .

Baldwin Buckstone‘s presence, however, apparently only manifests when a performance is destined to make it big.

Visit Theatre Royal Haymarket – Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4HT

His Majesty’s Theatre

His Majesty’s Theatre, home of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, is claimed to be haunted by the ghost of Herbert Beerbohm Tree – the actor/manager who ran His Majesty’s in the early 20th century who even lived in the Dome of the theatre.

Since his death in 1917, numerous sightings of Beerbohm Tree’s ghost have been reported around His Majesty’s by theatre staff and performers alike. Beerbohm Tree’s favourite place to watch performances was the top box on stage right, and audience members sitting in this box have reported sudden temperature drops, as well as the door swinging open by itself.

Visit His Majesty’s Theatre – Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4QL

Other ghostly theatres in London

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