Ghostly goings on, courtesy of Claude
YOU may have heard of The Phantom of the Opera, but have you heard of the spectre of the Little Theatre?
Members of the Southport Dramatic Club are very familiar with our resident ghost, Claude. I first learned of this legend within my first few months of being a member.
I can recall thinking it was a kind of gentle ribbing when I was told that the hotpot supper offered to the Pantomime cast after the last show was Claude’s. Of course, I had forgotten that at the time (January 2000) there was a patisserie bearing that name in Southport!
Whilst I have only heard of Claude, there are members who have had encounters with him and his presence is well known. If you have had the opportunity to view our excellent Little Theatre tour on YouTube (search for Southport Little Theatre Home of the SDC) you will have heard more on this from Mike Yates.
Mike recalls that some 30 years ago, he and another member were lending their expertise to the club whilst the communication system was upgraded. Working below the stage, Mike realised he did not have the screwdriver required and contemplated a quick trip up to fetch it.
At that moment he heard footsteps on the stage. Naturally he thought it fortuitous that his fellow volunteer Pete was on the stage by the tools, so called him to assist.
The correct implement was duly handed down to Mike and he set to work. Seconds later, Pete walked into the room but couldn’t have possibly made it down from the stage in such a span!
Another occasion where Mike had a spooky encounter was the night he learned he had been nominated to be Chair of the club.
At Southport Dramatic Club, there is always a Chairperson, nominated annually by current and past Chairs. This respected group have both the knowledge of what is required for the role, and the unique perspective of being involved in all the many facets during their term.
Nominations are voted upon at a dinner and then it is traditional for the current, and immediate past Chair to deliver the news as soon as possible, and creatively.
On this particular March evening, Mike was working late in the theatre, so even though it was after 11pm, John Watkins and Margaret Mann felt mischievous enough to surprise him there.
Claude is generally thought of as a friendly addition, but nonetheless it can set the hairs on the back of one’s neck when you believe the theatre to be empty and you detect creaks and squeaks as Mike did that evening.
He is so familiar with the sounds of the building that he was convinced someone, or something was approaching. He was greatly relieved and surprised that it was some friends bearing lovely tidings!
Have you had a ghostly encounter in the Little Theatre? Share your memories with us.
If you have any programmes from SDC shows you have seen, we would be grateful for the opportunity to take a copy.
To contact the Little Theatre in Southport, Sefton, visit the website or follow on Facebook and Instagram.