Ghosts at Sheffield Theatres: Behind-the-scenes at Lyceum Theatre where there’s even more drama

Jacob said that paranormal experiences have just become part of the job since he started his role at the Victorian era theatre shortly before lockdown. Little did he know that he would be managing his own series of dramas off the stage with most of his team experiencing some kind of paranormal experience.

“Every person who’s worked the stage door has had an unexplained experience,” said Jacob.

So much so that Sheffield Theatres - who run the Lyceum and The Crucible - have started running their own supernatural tours.

Our reporter Sophie Mei Lan Malin went along to experience one.

I’ve always been fascinated by historic places and the parts of them we don’t see. The wings of the stage, for example, have always fascinated me more than the rehearsed drama on stage.

When I was invited to take a tour of the Lyceum “out of hours” to hear ghost stories from staff, I was equally as intrigued to discover what it all looks like behind the scenes.

Normally the tours take place following a show around 10pm at night or later but I had come on a bright and hot sunny day.

Granted the peculiarly good weather didn’t add to the supernatural "ambience,” but that said I came with an open mind after already losing my scepticism on a previous Ghosts of Britain experience.

Had this been a stage show however the lighting surely would have been changed to evoke mystery.

Nonetheless being inside the Lyceum Theatre - which originally opened in 1897 - without throngs of audience members felt eerie in itself despite the beaming light cascading through the windows.

From the downstairs toilets to the doors into the balcony, the tour weaves you through staff members’ “paranormal experiences,” working at the theatre.

There are some stories that have been passed down throughout the years such as the heartbreaking tale of the Lyceum’s “lavender lady.”

Elizabeth apparently had her heart broken by Henry.

When staff reportedly experience “the lavender lady” they smell lavender and experience feelings of melancholy.

Jacob said: “There’s sometimes been a single rose left in the lead male's dressing room, which is believed to be the lavender lady.”

He said that a lot of theatres report having a lavender scented lady.

“Perhaps it’s because of the lavender smelling foundation the actors used to wear,” added Jacob.

Jacob however remains sceptical despite researching the fact that Elizabeth is often experienced in the balcony which may signify she was from a lower class hence being seated on the balcony.

He added: “Back then people would most likely use lavender as perfume.” q

Alongside the lavender lady there have been consistent stories about a former stage manager who is believed to roam the corridors and keep a check on dress code and noise levels.

“I was on the phone to my wife and I heard a ‘hey,’” said Jacob whose wife could tell something had shaken him up.

“It was an authoritative voice,” he added.

It’s not just the in-house staff who have experienced the supernatural at the theatre. Many visiting cast members have had their own spectral encounters, even during the most recent production when a short man was seen in the box during a rehearsal of Here You Come Again.

There’s been various sightings of this man, sometimes crying and sometimes mischievous.

Staff members believe it was one of the cast members from Snow White several years ago who had taken his own life.

“Perhaps it’s the paranormal, perhaps it’s just unexplained”, said Jacob.

“I’m sceptical but it is unsettling.

“I still get goosebumps thinking about it.”

The ghost tours around this 1068-seat listed theatre, give participants the opportunity to make their own minds up.

Whether it’s the building itself that has absorbed past occupants’ emotions or it really is those occupants returning, one thing’s for sure, there’s a lot of unexplained happenings here in the heart of Sheffield city centre.