Ghost Hunters, Welcome | Civic Theatre Launches Paranormal Investigation Nights
- intouch Magazine
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Civic Theatre is about to reveal its spookier side, with Newcastle's historic venue throwing open its doors for three Paranormal Investigation Nights, a first for the almost 100-year-old building.
Running for the first time in the theatre's history, the events will use special equipment to record and measure unexplained activity in areas of the building rarely accessed by the public.
City of Newcastle Executive Manager Leonie Wallace said the tours would give visitors the chance to see the Civic Theatre in a whole new light.
"The Civic Theatre is almost 100 years old and has long been surrounded by rumour and speculation regarding the spirits of former staff and patrons," Ms Wallace said.
"Probably the most famous is our supposedly friendly ghost, nicknamed Joe, who has been said to brush past staff every now and again. As the story goes, he warned a former Deputy Lord Mayor about the 1989 earthquake on the main stage."
Ms Wallace said the theatre was thrilled to be teaming up with well-known local operators Newcastle Ghost Tours for the experience, adding that staff were curious to see who, or what, people discover along the way.
Tickets for the Paranormal Investigation Nights are on sale now, with sessions running on 28, 29 and 30 September. Each two-and-a-half-hour experience kicks off with a short historical introduction from a Civic Theatre guide, before Newcastle Ghost Tours takes the lead.
Newcastle Ghost Tours CEO Renata Daniel said the Civic Theatre was one of the Hunter's most requested locations for paranormal nights.
"The history of the Civic Theatre and the range of stories about ghost sightings make it a premium location for these types of tours," Ms Daniel said.
"The entire experience is fully escorted and gives the guests the chance to become paranormal investigators. During the tour you call out to the spirits said to inhabit the theatre to see who responds.
"We'll use equipment such as a spirit box, which is an electronic sweep-frequency radio to attempt real-time communication with ghosts, as well as a trip wire, an electronic sensor device used to detect invisible energy changes or movement.
"These tours will be suitable for first timers, the curious and the experienced seekers of the supernatural."
Behind the Curtain tours expand
It's not all things that go bump in the night at the Civic Theatre this September. The venue is also expanding its popular Behind the Curtain backstage tours, after the first two sessions launched earlier this year sold out within hours.
Seven additional tours will run on 28, 29 and 30 September, including one wheelchair accessible session, with tickets on sale now.
The concept for the Behind the Curtain tours was developed by the Civic Theatre as part of City of Newcastle's Product Mentoring Development Program, which helps develop and promote new tourism products to attract visitors from outside the region.
Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said both tours would give visitors new ways to experience the Civic Theatre beyond attending a performance.
"This is your chance to see the theatre from a different perspective," Cr Morris said.
"We know artists love performing at the Civic Theatre and now you can see what they see behind the curtain.
"The tours will explore areas within the Theatre not usually accessible to the community, including behind the stage and in the dressing rooms, giving participants a sneak peek behind the scenes while learning more about the iconic building's history."
Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee Chair Cr Jenny Barrie said the tours were the perfect way to celebrate one of Newcastle's most iconic buildings.
"Newcastle is a city of storytellers and those stories come to life at the Civic Theatre," Cr Barrie said.
"Giving people more reasons to visit not only connects them with Newcastle's arts scene but also contributes to our broader cultural economy."
For more information, or to book tickets, visit the Civic Theatre website.
