Is the Drury Lane Theater Haunted?

Is the Drury Lane Theater Haunted? Often called the most haunted theater in the world, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane has a fascinating history on top of its numerous ghost stories. Listeners voted on this one and we are excited to share what we found. Join us in exploring the almost 400-year history of Drury Lane as well as debate the many ghost sightings there. Then you decide – do ghosts haunt this theater?

Questions Explored in this Episode

When was the original Drury Lane built? What does it mean to be a Royal theater? How was the theater different than others? What caused to shut down over the years? Why did it burn down twice? Who is the Man in Gray, and does he haunt the theater? What other ghosts do people claim to see or experience? Is this theater haunted?

The interior of the third and largest theatre to stand at Drury Lane, c. 1808Vote on the Episode

Done listening to the Drury Lane Theater? Go vote on what you think at ghostlypodcast.com/polls. #TeamBeliever #TeamSkeptic

Listener Mail and Questions

This week’s listener mail is about a faucet that turns itself on. Have a spooky story or question of your own (or someone you know)? Send your story or question to [email protected] and we might read it on the podcast. You could be on a future episode of Ghostly!

Joseph Grimaldi, frequent performer at Drury Lane. published by Samuel De Wilde, etching, published 14 February 1807History of Drury Lane

Pat explores the history of the theater. Built in 1663 as Theatre Royal in Brydges Street, this is one of the longest-running theaters in the world. It has been rebuilt several times, including after burning down twice. It is currently owned by Andrew Lloyd Weber.

The Burning of Drury Lane Theatre from Westminster BridgeThe Debate

Rebecca and Pat debate if Drury Lane is haunted. The most famous ghost is The Man in Grey, but others include the spirits of Joseph Gremaldi, the father of clowns, Dan Leno, and Charles Macklin.

Dan Leno, one of Drury Lane’s many ghosts / Getty ImagesPoll Results

Did listeners think Billy the Kid still haunts this earth? Still need to listen to our previous episodes? Check them out here.

Ghostly Book Club

Interested in joining our Ghostly Book Club? If you want to read spooky books and talk about them with fellow Ghostly listeners, sign up at ghostlypodcast.com/book-club. Our next meeting will be in July.

Ghostly Gear

New merchandise store right on our website at ghostlypodcast.com/store for all your Ghostly Gear! T-shirts, Hoodies, and Masks and more.

Done Listening to the Episode?

Please subscribe to Ghostly and give us a rating on iTunes or any podcast app where they let you. Tell your friends! Then you can debate the truth yourselves. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to grow our audience, so we can do all the amazing things we have planned for this year. And be sure to find us on all social media at Ghostly Podcast.

Visit our website, www.ghostlypodcast.com, to learn more about Ghostly, and, of course, give us your opinion on our polls here or on Facebook. 

Support Ghostly

How can you help support Ghostly? Leave us a rating and a review. And now you can also buy us a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/GhostlyPodcast. You can give a one-time coffee, or you can sign up for a membership for $5 a month or $50 a year. Members get early access to future episode topics.

We want to hear from you! We want your ghost stories! Email us at [email protected].  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at GhostlyPodcast.

Sources for this Week’s Episode
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_Royal,_Drury_Lane
Arthur Lloyd: http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/DruryLane.htm
The Journal of Anomalous Science: http://thejournalofanomalousscience.com/most-haunted-drury-lane-theatre/
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/oct/29/most-haunted-theatre-ghosts-superstitions-theatre-royal-drury-lane
WestEndTheatre: https://www.westendtheatre.com/21739/visitinglondon/travel-guide/londons-most-haunted-theatres/
Daily Motion – Paranormal Investigation Most Haunted Series 1 Episode 10 Drury Lane: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3b7x6y
Evening Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/haunted-ghosts-west-end-theatre-a3970831.html
Icy Sedgwick: https://www.icysedgwick.com/theatre-royal/
Huffington Post: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/nigel-planer/nigel-planer-drury-lane-ghosts_b_4426092.html
Seeks Ghosts: https://seeksghosts.blogspot.com/2014/05/drury-lane-clown-and-man-in-grey.html

Rebecca’s website that includes research and images of the theater: https://rebeccariverslitblog.wordpress.com/

Music for this episode was performed by Michael Rivers
Intro: “III. Allegro moderato from Gargoyles” by Lowell Liebermann
Outro: “Dream Images (Love-Death Music)” by George Crumb
Bumper: “Ghost Waltz” by Lowell Liebermann

“Pat Facts” and “Ghost Story” themes by Mondo
“Time for a Debate” theme by Gail Gallagher gailgallaghermusic.com