Seekers of the supernatural are being given a rare chance to go behind the scenes at the Civic Theatre in September and call out the spirits that supposedly haunt the historic venue.
Three Paranormal Investigation Nights will be held for the first time in the theatre’s history, using special equipment to record and measure unexplained activity in areas rarely accessed by the public.
Civic Theatre Executive Manager Leonie Wallace, Lord Mayor Gavin Morris and Cr Jenny Barrie go behind the scenes and use some of the special equipment that will be part of the Paranormal Investigation Nights, accompanied by Renata Daniel and Anne Rzechowicz from Newcastle Ghost Tours. Executive Manager Leonie Wallace said the tours will let visitors see the Civic Theatre in a whole new light.
“The Civic Theatre is almost 100 years old and has long been surrounded by rumour and speculation regarding the spirits of former staff and patrons,” Ms Wallace said.
“Probably the most famous is our supposedly friendly ghost, nicknamed Joe, who has been said to brush past staff every now and again. As the story goes, he warned a former Deputy Lord Mayor about the 1989 earthquake on the main stage.
“We’re thrilled to be working with well-known local operators Newcastle Ghost Tours to provide this unique experience and are curious to see who or what people discover along the way.”
Tickets for the Paranormal Investigation Nights will go on sale tomorrow, with sessions on 28,29 and 30 September.
Each experience will run for two-and-a-half hours, kicking off with a short historical introduction by a Civic Theatre guide before being led by Newcastle Ghost Tours.
CEO of the award-winning local business, Renata Daniel, said the Civic Theatre is one of the Hunter’s most requested locations for paranormal nights.
“The history of the Civic Theatre and the range of stories about ghost sightings make it a premium location for these types of tours,” Ms Daniel said.
“The entire experience is fully escorted and gives the guests the chance to become paranormal investigators. During the tour you call out to the spirits said to inhabit the theatre to see who responds.
“We’ll use equipment such as a spirit box, which is an electronic sweep-frequency radio to attempt real-time communication with ghosts, as well as a trip wire, an electronic sensor device used to detect invisible energy changes or movement.
“These tours will be suitable for first timers, the curious and the experienced seekers of the supernatural.”
The theatre is also expanding its popular series of Behind the Curtain backstage tours after the first two sessions launched earlier this year were fully booked within hours of going on sale.
Seven additional tours on 28, 29 and 30 September will go on sale tomorrow including one wheelchair accessible session.
The idea for the Behind the Curtain tours was developed by the Civic Theatre as part of City of Newcastle’s Product Mentoring Development Program, which helps to develop and promote new tourism products to attract more visitors from outside the region.
Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said both tours will provide visitors with new opportunities to experience the Civic Theatre beyond attending a performance.
“This is your chance to see the theatre from a different perspective,” Cr Morris said.
“We know artists love performing at the Civic Theatre and now you can see what they see behind the curtain.
“The tours will explore areas within the Theatre not usually accessible to the community including behind the stage and in the dressing rooms, giving participants a sneak peek behind the scenes while learning more about the iconic building’s history.”
Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee Chair, Cr Jenny Barrie said these tours are the perfect way to celebrate one of Newcastle’s most iconic buildings.
“Newcastle is a city of storytellers and those stories come to life at the Civic Theatre,” Cr Barrie said.
“Giving people more reasons to visit not only connects them with Newcastle’s arts scene but also contributes to our broader cultural economy.”
For more information visit the Civic Theatre website or visit the Ticket Office.