Haunted Toronto Theatres

Ghosts Who Love the Stage and Screen in Canada’s Largest City

Dec 1, 2007

Royal Alexendra Theatre Toronto, Dhodges

Accounts of paranormal activity at the Old Theatre, DuMaurier, Runnymede, Royal Alexander, and Buddies in Bad Times Theatres.

Some of the theatres in Toronto were once warehouses or had their beginnings in vaudeville days. It seems that many spirits are still lurking around waiting for the next performance or trying to lend a helping hand.

Harbourfront Centre Theatre Toronto

This complex was once a group of ship terminal buildings servicing Toronto’s harbour. The DuMaurier Theatre building was once an ice house and then used a warehouse until converted to a theatre in 1986. Within the Harbourfront complex, there is also the York Quay Centre the Premier Dance theatre.

The most famous ghost is that of a woman who was found sitting in the middle of the theater in the early morning hours. A night security guard approached the lady and asked her what she was doing in the theater. She asked him “what time does the show start?” Then she disappeared.

Maintenance and technical staff have reported sightings of male and female ghosts who seem to be curious about their activities. The ghosts do not cause any harm and usually disappear once they are noticed.

Old Theatre Yonge St Toronto

This vintage theater was the scene of the ghost of the Lady in White. One evening, while waiting for the movie to begin, a patron saw a lady in a white gown lying in a horizontal position hovering above the seats. The apparition didn’t stay long and quickly disappeared.

The Royal Alexandra Theatre Toronto

Affectionately known as the “Royal Alex”, this theater is owned by the same people who own the “Old Vic” in London, England. There are two ghosts known to lurk in the premises. There is the spirit of a man who operated the curtains and scenery, known as a flyman. He is seen in his former work space above the stage, known as the “fly”.

There is occasionally the apparition of a woman spotted in the second balcony of the Royal Alex. She apparently died in the theater and periodically comes back to watch a show.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre Toronto

Like the DuMaurier, Buddies is an old warehouse converted to a theater. There is a poltergeist that puts on quite a show at nighttime. Strange noises and footsteps can be heard along with changes in temperature. Cold spots usually mean there is a spirit present. Nobody knows the origin of the poltergeist but it is believed to be connected with one of the businesses operating out of the warehouse.

Runnymede Theatre

Once a Famous Players movie theater (now closed), the building was originally a vaudeville house. Many of the former employees reported the ghost of a little girl who was killed by a falling sandbag while performing on stage in the early 1900s. There have been sobbing sounds of a little girl heard from behind the movie screen.

The building is now a bookstore and staff have seen images of ghosts appear and disappear, thinking they were customers. They have also found sand on or around the former stage.

As you can see, the theaters in Toronto are active in the off hours and during performances. You just never know who will be sitting next to you!

The copyright of the article Haunted Toronto Theatres in Ghosts & Hauntings is owned by Maureen K. Fleury. Permission to republish Haunted Toronto Theatres must be granted by the author in writing.