Forget jump scares and horror films - some of the most chilling ghost stories in the country are said to be taking place on stage across the UK, where the shows never truly end.
With spooky season in full swing, search interest for local paranormal spots has surged by 325% nationwide - in response, theatre ticketing hub SeatPlan has compiled a roundup of the 13 most haunted historic venues across the country, unearthing tales of phantom performers, spectral managers, and centuries-old apparitions.
Yorkshire's rich cultural heritage features heavily in the new rankings, with a legendary York site and two of Leeds' most famous entertainment institutions making the cut.
But which local stages are secretly harbouring phantom singers, Victorian spirits, and disembodied footsteps?
Here are the 13 most haunted theatres in the UK—and the eerie local legends hiding behind their curtains.
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7. Theatre Royal, Brighton: Ellen Nye Chart
Former theatre manager Ellen Nye Chart reportedly watches shows from her favourite seat in the auditorium - G16 in the Royal Circle - frequently accompanied by the sudden, inexplicable smell of cigar smoke. | Theatre Royal Brighton (contributed pic)
8. Lyceum Theatre, Crewe: The Monk and the Ballerina
Built on the site of a former church and graveyard, Crewe’s Lyceum is home to a ghostly monk wandering the corridors and a distressed ballerina seen watching performances from the wings. | Google Street View
9. Theatre Royal Bath: The Grey Lady and the Butterfly
Haunted by a Grey Lady who watches from the top-left box after a tragic love affair with an actor, the theatre also features a stranger legend: a mysterious butterfly that appeared when a producer collapsed during a 1940s pantomime, believed to carry his spirit. | Google Maps
10. Edinburgh Playhouse: Albert
A shadowy figure known as Albert frequents the sixth floor of the Edinburgh Playhouse. Witnesses describe seeing a grey outline accompanied by a sudden, intense chill, with local lore linking him to a former night security worker.
11. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh: The Blue Lady
Appearing in pale blue clothing in the upper gallery, The Blue Lady is believed by many to be legendary actress Ellen Terry, who starred in the venue's opening production in 1883. | TSPL
12. Festival Theatre, Edinburgh: The Great Lafayette
Following a tragic 1911 fire at the former Empire Palace Theatre that claimed the life of celebrated illusionist Sigmund Neuberger (The Great Lafayette), staff have reported cold spots, shadowy figures in the basement, and even the sound of a lion roaring in the auditorium.