aCADEMY tHEATRE
lINDSAY, oNT
re-VISTED
July 23, 2016
It’s an electric light that is left at centre stage. Its luminous glow is the only thing that lights up a completely dark and unoccupied theatre. Its purpose is to provide the opportunity for ghosts to perform onstage and appease them so they do not curse the theatre, set or production. It is called a ‘Ghost Light’, because every theatre has a ghost. The Academy Theatre is no exception. “Mary” is her name and it is said that she had a tragic ending. The theatre was heated by coal burning furnaces and in order to keep everything from freezing, a family was required to live on the third floor (in an apartment) and tend to the furnace. It is said that “Mary” was on her way to feed the fire, when she tripped and fell down the third floor stairs. Unfortunately, she broke her neck and died at the foot of the stairs.
Built in the early 1892 and opened in 1893, the Theatre has been a constant fixture in the town of Lindsay, Ontario. When the Academy opened its doors, it was considered to be the “most technically perfect theatre in Canada.” Eventually live theatre began to fade out and in 1918 the Academy began to play silent movies. In 1923 they added ‘Talkies’ (talking films). With the rise of movie show houses, the Academy began to struggle. It was often closed and then eventually put up for sale. The building was purchased in 1963 and with the help of community members, money was raised and renovations began. These renovations included the removal of the old coal burning furnaces – which happened to be the root of the Academy’s ghost story. Today the theatre hosts a variety of performances and is a venue for local schools and other organizations.
The team arrived at the Academy and entered the building. This was not our first time at this location. Our first investigation of the theatre happened 11 years ago – September 2005 – but only Rachel and Jay had investigated (along with previous members). Everything appeared to be the same except for a few new coats of paint and a couple things added here and there. The grandiose of the old theatre was still present. We meet with Loretta and Jeff, two wonderful staff members of the theatre, who welcomed us in and gave us a tour to refresh our memory. Sean, Melissa, Jessica and Alison had never investigated the location, so this was a first for them. As we made our way through the theatre and to the stage, you could feel as if you were being watched from the seats. We ventured throughout the building and finally came to the third floor. As we walked took a look around, Melissa kept feeling as if she was going to fall down the stairs. She didn’t understand why. Not knowing about “Mary” or the story of her untimely demise, Rachel filled her in with some information, without giving away the whole story. We eventually made our way (carefully!) back down to the main floor. Sean and Jay took over and began to set up the DVR system where we felt we may capture some activity. While the cameras were being set up, the remaining group members sat down with Loretta and Jeff and talked about all things spooky. Finally, everything was set up and ready to go. It was time to turn the lights off and begin!
Built in the early 1892 and opened in 1893, the Theatre has been a constant fixture in the town of Lindsay, Ontario. When the Academy opened its doors, it was considered to be the “most technically perfect theatre in Canada.” Eventually live theatre began to fade out and in 1918 the Academy began to play silent movies. In 1923 they added ‘Talkies’ (talking films). With the rise of movie show houses, the Academy began to struggle. It was often closed and then eventually put up for sale. The building was purchased in 1963 and with the help of community members, money was raised and renovations began. These renovations included the removal of the old coal burning furnaces – which happened to be the root of the Academy’s ghost story. Today the theatre hosts a variety of performances and is a venue for local schools and other organizations.
The team arrived at the Academy and entered the building. This was not our first time at this location. Our first investigation of the theatre happened 11 years ago – September 2005 – but only Rachel and Jay had investigated (along with previous members). Everything appeared to be the same except for a few new coats of paint and a couple things added here and there. The grandiose of the old theatre was still present. We meet with Loretta and Jeff, two wonderful staff members of the theatre, who welcomed us in and gave us a tour to refresh our memory. Sean, Melissa, Jessica and Alison had never investigated the location, so this was a first for them. As we made our way through the theatre and to the stage, you could feel as if you were being watched from the seats. We ventured throughout the building and finally came to the third floor. As we walked took a look around, Melissa kept feeling as if she was going to fall down the stairs. She didn’t understand why. Not knowing about “Mary” or the story of her untimely demise, Rachel filled her in with some information, without giving away the whole story. We eventually made our way (carefully!) back down to the main floor. Sean and Jay took over and began to set up the DVR system where we felt we may capture some activity. While the cameras were being set up, the remaining group members sat down with Loretta and Jeff and talked about all things spooky. Finally, everything was set up and ready to go. It was time to turn the lights off and begin!
The team broke off into two groups of 3. Jay, Melissa and Sean headed up to the second and third floors, while Rachel, Jessica and Alison made their way to the theatre and the stage.
The REM pod was placed at centre stage, while the girls got settled in to conduct an EVP and P-SB7 session. Many questions were asked, but nothing was heard during the first part of the session. The Ovilus spoke a few words – “Water”, “Factors”, “Loud.” Rachel then asked a really interesting question. “Who is the writer of the play that no one likes to say the name of on stage because it’s bad luck?” she asked. A very quiet male voice is heard through the ghost box – ‘Shakespeare’. It’s true. The story of ‘The Scottish Curse’ is set around William Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’. Speaking the name ‘Macbeth’ inside a theatre is said to cause disaster. The reason for this “curse” is said to be because Shakespeare included black magic spells in the incantations of the Weird Sisters, and that tradition traces back a long line of unfortunate events all the way back to its premiere date in 1606. As Rachel explained all of this to Alison and Jessica, a male voice is heard over the ghost box – ‘Yup’. The girls continued with their ghost box session, but nothing tangible was heard. The Ovlius continued to speak – “Alphabet”, “Trap”. The girls ended their session on the stage and decided to head to the second floor to continue. Melissa, Jay and Sean made their way to the stage to continue their investigation. Melissa and Jay both felt as if there were hundreds of eyes watching them, waiting for them to perform. Jay also felt the need to take a bow and be in the “Spot light” while on stage. They had also picked up on a man who seemed to be an usher, as they described him holding the door and leading them down the aisle.
On the second floor, Alison, Jessica and Rachel set up their devices once again. The three sat in silence for a while, listening to the sounds that were coming from outside. The silence was broke when the Ovilus spoke – ‘Indirect Voice’. It was decided to try a P-SB7 ghost box session. “Who’s up here with us? Are you male or female?” asked Rachel. “What’s your name?” she added. The Ovilus spoke – ‘Fly’ “Did you fall down the stairs?” Rachel asked. “Who’s the one they call ‘Mary’? she added. A female voice is heard – ‘I am’. “Is that your real name? Can you tell me your real name then?” continued Rachel. The Ovilus spoke – ‘Still’. “Its still ‘Mary’?” questioned Rachel. The Ovilus spoke again – ‘Type’. More questions were asked, but no responses heard. The Ovilus would speak two more times before the sessions was ended – ‘Twist’, ‘Lost’.
Jay and Melissa didn’t feel much on the second floor, but had a few encounters on the third. During their time on the third floor, Melissa had felt uneasy and as if she had had an accident. She had felt as if she had tumbled down the stairs. Both Jay and Melissa had also seen what appeared to be a young woman, amoungst the props. They both described this woman as wearing a white dress, and was peaking in and out of the props and clothes, as if she was wondering what they were doing.
The REM pod was placed at centre stage, while the girls got settled in to conduct an EVP and P-SB7 session. Many questions were asked, but nothing was heard during the first part of the session. The Ovilus spoke a few words – “Water”, “Factors”, “Loud.” Rachel then asked a really interesting question. “Who is the writer of the play that no one likes to say the name of on stage because it’s bad luck?” she asked. A very quiet male voice is heard through the ghost box – ‘Shakespeare’. It’s true. The story of ‘The Scottish Curse’ is set around William Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’. Speaking the name ‘Macbeth’ inside a theatre is said to cause disaster. The reason for this “curse” is said to be because Shakespeare included black magic spells in the incantations of the Weird Sisters, and that tradition traces back a long line of unfortunate events all the way back to its premiere date in 1606. As Rachel explained all of this to Alison and Jessica, a male voice is heard over the ghost box – ‘Yup’. The girls continued with their ghost box session, but nothing tangible was heard. The Ovlius continued to speak – “Alphabet”, “Trap”. The girls ended their session on the stage and decided to head to the second floor to continue. Melissa, Jay and Sean made their way to the stage to continue their investigation. Melissa and Jay both felt as if there were hundreds of eyes watching them, waiting for them to perform. Jay also felt the need to take a bow and be in the “Spot light” while on stage. They had also picked up on a man who seemed to be an usher, as they described him holding the door and leading them down the aisle.
On the second floor, Alison, Jessica and Rachel set up their devices once again. The three sat in silence for a while, listening to the sounds that were coming from outside. The silence was broke when the Ovilus spoke – ‘Indirect Voice’. It was decided to try a P-SB7 ghost box session. “Who’s up here with us? Are you male or female?” asked Rachel. “What’s your name?” she added. The Ovilus spoke – ‘Fly’ “Did you fall down the stairs?” Rachel asked. “Who’s the one they call ‘Mary’? she added. A female voice is heard – ‘I am’. “Is that your real name? Can you tell me your real name then?” continued Rachel. The Ovilus spoke – ‘Still’. “Its still ‘Mary’?” questioned Rachel. The Ovilus spoke again – ‘Type’. More questions were asked, but no responses heard. The Ovilus would speak two more times before the sessions was ended – ‘Twist’, ‘Lost’.
Jay and Melissa didn’t feel much on the second floor, but had a few encounters on the third. During their time on the third floor, Melissa had felt uneasy and as if she had had an accident. She had felt as if she had tumbled down the stairs. Both Jay and Melissa had also seen what appeared to be a young woman, amoungst the props. They both described this woman as wearing a white dress, and was peaking in and out of the props and clothes, as if she was wondering what they were doing.
Jessica had decided to stay back, so Rachel and Alison headed up to the third floor. They placed the REM pod in the back near the props and began a P-SB7 ghost box session. “Did you use to live up here?” Rachel asked. “Can you tell us what your name is?” she continued. A male voice is heard – ‘Craig’ or ‘Greg’. “Is there a woman up here as well?” asked Rachel. A female voice is heard – ‘Me’. “Can the woman tell us her name?” Rachel continued. A voice is heard – ‘Leave’, followed by a male voice – ‘Don’t’. “What happened to you? Did you have an accident?” questioned Rachel. A female voice is heard – ‘Yeah’. “Did you fall?” Rachel asked. A voice is heard – “I’m lost”. “Do you need help? Do you want us to help you?” asked Rachel. A male voice is heard – ‘Music, Oshawa’. Switching topics, Rachel begins to ask if whoever is with them to make the REM pod go off. “Can you make the REM pod go off for us?” she asked. A male voice is heard – ‘No’. “All you have to do is light it up green,” she continued. A female voice is heard – ‘Give it a minute’. Alison and Rachel waited, but the REM pod never activated. “Can you tell me how many are up here with us?” asked Rachel. A female voice is heard – ‘Me’. “Can you tell me what your name is?” Rachel continued. The Ovilus spoke – ‘Won’. Both Alison and Rachel continued to ask questions, but no answers were heard. “It’s getting time for us to go. Is there anything you want to say to us?” Rachel asked. The Ovilus spoke – ‘Compete’. “We aren’t competing here. We are all friends,” stated Alison. A male voice is heard – ‘You got it.” With that, Rachel and Alison ended their session and headed back downstairs.
During the time on the third floor, Sean had ventured to the basement. In the basement, there is a tunnel that leads from the stage to the dressing rooms. Sean, being the adventurous investigator, decided to test his luck and venture into the dark tunnel. While in the tunnel, he had looked up to see a white mist form in front of him. This was not something he was expecting and resulted in a slight moment of panic, which was captured on his audio recorder.
It was now time to pack up and, once again, say good bye to the theatre. Even though 11 years had passed, it felt like we had just been there. We vowed to return in the near future to see if we could figure out more behind the mysterious ‘Mary’.
If you want to visit the Academy Theatre and take in a performance, check out their website – academytheatre.ca
You may just get a little ghostly encounter while you’re there.
During the time on the third floor, Sean had ventured to the basement. In the basement, there is a tunnel that leads from the stage to the dressing rooms. Sean, being the adventurous investigator, decided to test his luck and venture into the dark tunnel. While in the tunnel, he had looked up to see a white mist form in front of him. This was not something he was expecting and resulted in a slight moment of panic, which was captured on his audio recorder.
It was now time to pack up and, once again, say good bye to the theatre. Even though 11 years had passed, it felt like we had just been there. We vowed to return in the near future to see if we could figure out more behind the mysterious ‘Mary’.
If you want to visit the Academy Theatre and take in a performance, check out their website – academytheatre.ca
You may just get a little ghostly encounter while you’re there.