Stage is set to flush out theatre's resident ghost

HE has been appearing at Edinburgh's Playhouse for 50 years, though theatre-goers are unlikely ever to catch a glimpse.

In fact Albert – the historic venue's resident ghost – has become almost as famous among staff as the stars who tread the boards.

Now a team of paranormal investigators are set to be allowed in to the Greenside Place theatre for the first time in a bid to bring Albert out of the shadows.

The investigation is being carried out as part of this year's Mary King's Ghost Fest and will involve experts from Ghost Finders Scotland camping out in backstage corridors and changing rooms to find evidence of the theatre's ghostly past.

Using equipment to measure electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) – or "white noise" – the team will try to record ghostly whispers emitted by the spirit, who is believed to have died while working at the theatre.

Pam Blyth, spokesman for the Playhouse, said they hoped the investigation would shed some light on a series of mysterious events that have occurred at the venue over the past 50 years.

She said: "We've had reports of spooky goings-on here for quite some time now.

"Over the years, quite a few staff members have said they felt uneasy or cold walking around certain parts of the backstage area and we have had times where lights have gone off mysteriously or people have heard the sound of doors being locked.

"Others have reported seeing unusual shapes in the corridors and we've had occasions when people have brought dogs into the backstage area that have refused to enter certain rooms.

"We're really looking forward to shedding some light on this and are delighted that a team of experts is coming to investigate. This will be the first time we've ever had something like this here, so its very exciting.

"The Playhouse is quite a dark, scary building and I'm sure the Ghost Finders guys will wow everyone with their findings."

Albert, who was first sighted in the 1950s after a break-in at the theatre, is believed to be the spirit of a stage doorman who died alone on the premises.

The spook was discovered by a constable investigating the break-in, who reported meeting an old man on level six who identified himself as Albert the doorman.

The Playhouse investigation is one of four public events being staged by Ghost Finders, whose team manager Mark Turner has previously explored EVP and "spirit voices" at Mary King's Close and the Covenanter's Prison at Greyfriar's Kirkyard. This year, the team will be leading further investigations in those locations, as well as at the former Ragged School, near the Camera Obscura.

SCARING UP THE SUPERNATURAL
OTHER highlights at this year's ghost festival, which is now in its fourth year, will include an evening with TV historian Richard Felix, pictured, from the popular Most Haunted show.

The expert will be leading an investigation in the depths of Mary King's Close before hosting a question-and-answer session to pass on his knowledge of the paranormal.

There will also be a series of events for youngsters during the festival, including junior bus tours describing Edinburgh's gruesome history.

Overnight vigils at the Blair Street Vaults and clairvoyant evenings are also making a comeback for this year's festival, while an afternoon devoted to the work of modern-day pagan witches has also been announced.

Ghost Fest runs from May 9 to 18.

• Full details of including booking details and prices, can be found at: www.edinburghghostfest.com