The Priory Ghost

The Priory's ghost is affectionately known as Priory Pete, though there is a difference of opinion about the sex of the ghost. Some claim that they have seen the ghost of a nun. Others claim to have seen the ghost of a monk. Perhaps we have more than one. Most people have seen neither - though several have shivered as they pass an area on the first floor where the stairs ascend to the circle. On these stairs is a window through which the proceedings on stage can be viewed without having to enter the auditorium. During rehearsals, there have been  sightings by people on stage of a ghostly face at this window when there has been no-one else at the theatre!

Here are a few of our members' experiences:

Sheila's Story:
Sheila was in charge of wardrobe for one of the Priory pantomime's. During a dress rehearsal she and one of the other wardrobe ladies went up to the circle to watch some of the show. It is a tradition in pantomime for there to be a scene where a monster (e.g. a gorilla, or a skeleton etc.) creeps up behind some of the cast whilst the audience shouts "It's behind you!". On this particular occasion the monster on stage was a ghost.  As the panto dame was saying "Oh, I don't believe in ghosts" the doors into the circle suddenly slammed shut! The two ladies nearly jumped out of their skins. Sheila opened both doors again and made sure they were securely fastened on the hooks and eyes (which were far from flimsy) and continued watching the show. Again, the dame said "I don't believe in ghosts" and once again the doors slammed shut! Needless to say, Sheila and her friend felt that perhaps the dressing room was a better place to be!

Nikki's Story:
This story took place during the rehearsal of a show for which Nikki was doing the choreography. She was on stage with her back to the auditorium putting the cast through their paces. As she turned towards the auditorium she saw a ghostly figure (that looked like a monk) sitting in the circle watching what was going on. Thinking she was seeing things, she turned away and continued with her work on stage. When she looked back at the seats in the circle, the ghostly figure was still there - but had now moved to another seat! The next time she looked, it had gone. There is a postscript to this story. On hearing Nikki's story, one of the members of the cast borrowed a monk's habit and at the next rehearsal stood in the circle silently watching the proceedings. But Nikki was not fooled for a moment realising straight away that it was someone dressed up.

Angela's Story:
A very spooky play staged at the Priory a few years ago was The Exorcism. In one of the scenes, Angela's character had to play a harpsichord. The music heard by the audience was recorded and operated from the sound box. But on several performance nights, when the music was played it came through at ten times the speed it should have done! Luckily there was a back-up system which we were able to switch to hastily. Numerous checks were carried out before each performance - but the problem would only occur when there was an audience present! An explanation for the problem was never found.

Stuart's Story:
One of the show's performed at the Priory in the mid-90s was the Michael Frayn farce Noises Off. Very strange things kept happening to props during this show. They were forever going walkabout. One moment they were there, and the next they were missing - only to be found in very strange places. Now, maybe there was a practical joker on the loose, or maybe some well-intentioned person was quite oblivious to the mayhem they were causing. If so, no-one ever owned up to it. And the night when a small figurine flew across the set when there was no-one near it defies all logic!

If you have a story about Priory Pete that you would like to share, send your story to webmaster@priorytheatre.co.uk 

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