What better day to share a walk than Humpday? A long time ago, our friend @tattoodjay started the #wednesdaywalk movement and it matches well with the Make me Smile Collaboration challenge lead by @elizacheng.
This week, I take you with us on a ghostly #Wednesdaywalk through the iconic Avon Theatre!
Welcome to the haunted Avon Theatre! At least that is the theme of the tour we were on that told all the ghost stories for throughout the years. I was more in it to see the behind the scenes and historic tunnels in this 124-year-old building than expecting to witness any specters. That and the WifePoints© from accompanying my better half.
Our guide was quite the convincing performer and told dozens of stories from her book with a flourish. This one was about a wee dead girl that likes to haunt these stairs as witnessed by multiple actors over the decades.
Next, we headed through the doors that would normally take us to the thousand seat theatre. Instead, we were regaled with more history and took a detour behind the scenes.
Down to the LOWER LEVEL where all the spooky stuff happens. Restrooms, coat hangers, phones and all.
Through one door, I was able to spy the crown work on an old tunnel. Apparently a river was diverted to help make room for downtown buildings and still flows underneath.
Such a clash of eras with the old stone foundation and floorboards with modern plumbing and network wire.
Apparently, the cages area is especially spooky when you are down here alone. Not because it would be something out of a zombie movie but there is an active ghost down here who likes to screw with the carpenters and such and production staff.
Here we are under the stage with most lights off. Neat to see all of the trap doors they can use for the variety of plays that are performed here all summer every year. Tight quarters the orchestra has to go through with their instruments to the pit. Apparently, tops of violins have snapped off at different times for suspected paranormal reasons.
Next, we visited the rehearsal area for stories of ghosts messing with posters on the wall and spooking the actors rehearsing at night.
This is a window that boasts a nice view of Revival House in the downtown core. Neighbours have also reported seeing a figure in a top hat and frock coat when there are no people supposedly around.
Next, we headed back stage for more neat insight and ghost stories.
Amazing to see behind the stage where all the props are including part of the set of La Cage Aux Folles which has been extended into November. Up to 3 shows share the back stage area and alternate being set up and stowed out of the way.
So much goes into these productions as a million people a year visit to see them. Here I am nerding out about the technology and labelling of the plugs to coordinate it all.
Heading out to the theatre from back stage, we are approaching the end of the tour. some of the lights look a little ghostly but probably because I moved the camera while shooting.
Right up front, you can look down into the orchestra pit which has some of the best musicians around scoring and colouring each play.
A rather opulent theatre you might not expect in a town as small as ours. That chandelier gets taken down regularly to have each crystal polished individually.
Our tour closed with some more neat history and ghost stories. Rather fitting that the light left on the stage when everyone goes home is called a ghost light.
All in all, the tour was time well spent and WifePoints© well earned. No specters were witnessed or chilling presences noted by me. Hearing all of the stories and seeing some of the generally off-limits areas was definitely neat and worth the price of admission. Plenty of steps through all of those hallways too.
How about a Ghost tour through a neat old theatre for a #wednesdaywalk!?
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