INVESTIGATION REPORT
INTO ALLEGED HAUNTINGS AT
THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE, DUNFERMLINESaturday 5th September 2009
Owners and Occupants: Bill Fletcher and the Alhambra Theatre Trust.
GHOST CLUB INVESTIGATION SCHEDULE:
16:45 hrs - Arrive at Alhambra Theatre, 33 Canmore Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NX
17:05 hrs - Investigation Team gather in Auditorium.
17:10 hrs - Tour of Building and prepare Thermometers.
17:20 hrs - Prepare All Equipment
18:05 hrs - Briefing from Joan Green. Then from Derek Green on Health and Safety.
18:20 hrs - Prepare for First Vigil.
18:25 hrs - Investigation Groups make way to first location.THEATRE AUDITORIUM/STAGE/PROJECTION ROOM/ UNDERSTAGE
INVESTIGATION GROUPS ROTA OF 8 VIGILS
ALL EQUIPMENT WHICH IS OWNED BY INVESTIGATORS MUST BE BROUGHT TO INVESTIGATION.
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Investigation Co-ordinator: Derek Green
Team Leaders: Derek Green
Joan Green
Technical Team shall consist mainly of Investigators with Equipment.
Technical Team Leader: Mark Ord
Technical Team: Derek Green
Colin Flynn
Investigation Support: Fiona Bisset
Bill Green
Greg Robertson
Responsibility of Team Leader is to ensure that Group vigils run to time.
GROUP 1 GROUP 2
Joan Green Derek Green
Lisa Bowell Lynn Robertson
Fiona Bisset (Scribe) Bill Green (Scribe)
Colin Flynn Leanne Cofax
Soraya Badar Joan McAuley
Mark Ord Bronach McElhone
Experiments are listed by location and must be carried out by a team member.
BASE AREA: GREEN ROOM.
Vigil Time Location Group Number
ALL VIGILS ARE 30 MINUTES LONG
1 18:30 - 19:00 hrs Actors Box 1
Auditorium – Stalls 2
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2 19:05 - 19:35 hrs Projection Room 1
Understage 2
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3 19:40 - 20:10 hrs Auditorium Grand Circle 1
Stage 2
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4 20:15 - 20:45 hrs Understage 1
Projection Room 2
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5 20:50 - 21:20 hrs Stage 1
Auditorium Grand Circle 2
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21:20 - 21:50 hrs BREAK 30 Minutes
EVP EXPERIMENT IN GRAND CIRCLE
HOUSE TABS CLOSED DURING THIS EXPERIMENT
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6 21:55 - 22:25 hrs Stage (Derek, Lynn and Lisa)
Auditorium Grand Circle 1&2
Experiment
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7 22:30 - 23:00 hrs Stage 1&2
Experiment
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8 23:05 - 23:35 hrs Box B 1
Box A 2
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20 MINUTES EXTRA IF REQUIRED
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Temperature Monitors will be placed in the following locations:
PROJECTION ROOM
UNDERSTAGE
HAND HELD THERMOMETERS MUST ALSO BE USED AT ALL TIMES.
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The following equipment was used on this investigation:
Supplied by Mark Ord
Rapid/OS Digital surveillance Recorder,
4 Swann Infra Red Cameras (10 metre range),
Sony analogue voice Recorder,
Handheld Digital Camcorder,
EMF Meter,
Infra Red thermometer
_________________________________________________________The following areas were covered during the investigation.
* The Main Auditorium
* Understage
* The Projection Room
* The Stage
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HISTORY
The Alhambra Theatre opened in the early 1920's. Since it's opening, The Alhambra Theatre has served as a Variety Theatre, a Cinema and latterly a Bingo Hall. Due to its fantastic history I'm keeping many of the details confidential to avoid auto-suggestion. When visiting the theatre, many people have commented that it is a complete step back in time to the Glorious days of the Scottish Variety Theatre. Many famous stars have trod the boards in this 86 year old venue.
ALLEGED ACTIVITY
Since the 1930's there have been reports of three alleged ghosts which are believed to haunt the building. Over the years there have been many reports in the Dunfermline Newspapers about ghostly apparitions. During the Cinema and Bingo years, staff reported many strange occurrences and there are a number of witness testimonies to the alleged activity.
Official Report compiled by Derek Green from notes of the Investigators
The following information has been taken from the notes of the investigators present and where possible notes have been copied verbatim and listed by location.
OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT
Prior to the investigation, the following was recorded by the investigators:
LYNN ROBERTSON
15:00 hrs – Lynn was standing in the Grand Circle on the stage left and she looked across to the upper box on stage right and could see a mist forming. The mist started to spread and come down and cover the box, as this was happening, Lynn was sensing a female presence.
GREG ROBERTSON
15:10 hrs - Greg was looking at the same box unaware of what his mother had seen. Greg noted what looked like a mist filling the same area. The two investigators had made separate notes.
LYNN ROBERTSON
16:00 hrs – Lynn was speaking to one of the Alhambra Stewards in a group. As Lynn was standing and looking up at the same box, she became aware that the inside décor of the box had gradually changed. At 17:40 hrs, Lynn was sitting on the middle of the stage and felt a presence to her left side and felt that it was female. Lynn described the clothing as an off the shoulder, low cut dress and the lady was wearing a diamonte pendant round her neck.
GREG ROBERTSON
18:15 hrs – As Greg looked at the top left hand side of the Circle,with the naked eye, he kept catching small lights of orb appearance .
LISA BOWELL
While Lisa was in the green Room, tuning in, she sensed a male presence aged in his thirties with a beige check type of waistcoat. White shirt with rolled up sleeves, dark brown trousers and a dark brown bowler hat. Lisa then picked up the names Albert, Finnegan and the word manager. Lisa asked the presence if he was Mr Finnegan and he replied infatigably that he was Albert.
JOAN GREEN
18:00 hrs - As Derek was talking to Joan on stage, Joan was looking out into the Auditorium. She noticed a black flowing figure seemingly float across the circle from stage left to right. The figure was positioned about the third row. Joan noted it quietly and said nothing. The auditorium lights were still on.
Just before the briefing and while Lynn was sitting on the stage, Derek sensed an argument that had taken place, starting in the stage right wings. This then carried on back stage and he sensed the woman having very dark hair, slim and very fine facial features. He was sensing that she always wore lavender and before each show she would put on a freshly cut single rose. Her heart was broken by an incident at the Alhambra Theatre.
In conversation with the Alhambra Choreographer earlier in the day another story came to light. It was explained that this lady was sensitive and had come face to face with an old man at the very back of the circle to the right hand door into the projection room. The lady explained that she had been involved in a mental conversation with him.
BRIEFING
The full Investigation team assembled on the stage of the Alhambra Theatre for the briefing. All the Investigators were facing Joan and Derek and they also had a full view of the auditorium. The following notes were recorded by various members of the team during the brief and in a time period of about ten minutes.
LISA BOWELL
Lisa saw a black shadow in the circle by the pillar, stage right. Lisa then saw a shape in the bottom box which appeared to be glowing, it was noted that it appeared human and was female and was there for a short time. Lisa then noted what looked like a hand waving a red handkerchief stage left of the circle. Lisa then noted a shadow in the area of the stalls bar, she noticed that this shadow seemed to go behind the bar. The movement was on the right hand side as you looked at the bar. Lisa then noted a white shape in the seats at the back of the stalls on the stage right. This appeared to Lisa as a white foggy shape. A similar looking shape was then brought to Lisa’s attention in the bottom box where she had seen the glowing figure.
SORAYA BADAR
Soraya witnessed what looked like two shadows in the upper area of the circle. One was dark and one was lighter in colour. Soraya had the impression of a young lady and an older gentleman in two different parts of the circle. The female was blond or with light brown hair.
JOAN GREEN
At 18:10 hrs – during the health and Safety brief, as Joan was standing on stage right she witnessed a sphere of green light in the Actor’s Box. The sphere seemed to be in the same area Joan had been standing during the 2008 investigation.
JOAN McAULEY
At 18:10 hrs, Joan noted seeing a shadowy movement at the end of the curtain stage right
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LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – THE ACTORS BOX
TIME: 18:40 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
TEMPERATURE: 17.9C
OUTSIDE WEATHER CONDITIONS: DRY, SUNNY
VIGIL ONE
OBSERVATIONS
SORAYA BADAR
Soraya noted feeling a very heavy oppressive atmosphere in the box and she felt difficulty in breathing. Soraya and Craig McDonald could both smell cigar smoke and Soraya sensed the name McDougall.
CRAIG MCDONALD
18:50 hrs Craig noted a sense of movement in the opposite top box (same box re mist earlier in the afternoon).
19:01 hrs, Craig felt very tired and drained.
18:44 - 17.9C EMF 0mG
18:50 - 15.6C EMF 2mG on stairs at box.
18:56 - 20.5C EMF 0mG
19:01 - 20.0C EMF 2mG at entrance to box.
VIGIL SCRIBED BY FIONA BISSET.
Joan started using the pendulum at 18:40 hrs, the pendulum started to move. Joan then asked the following questions:
• Are you female? – Yes
(Lisa and Soraya started to feel cold and then Lisa commented that she was feeling really cold. Lisa then sensed a female with fair hair.)
• Do you have fair hair and did you belong to this theatre? – No.
• Do you wear Glasses? – Yes
• Did you smoke? – No
(Lisa then said that she had a male partner who smoked and the communicating female did not like it)
• Did you entertain here? – No.
• Was this your favourite box? – No.
• Is there a reason for that? – yes.
• Did you work here? – No.
• Did you see someone fall from the box? – No.
• Did you like someone from this building? – yes
• Are they sitting in a box opposite us? – No
• Was there an accident here? – Yes.
• Was it a fatal accident? – Yes.
(A name of Alice was picked up).
• Did you know someone called Alice? – Yes.
• Was Alice a performer? – Yes.
• Is your name Alice? – No.
• Is the fair haired lady Alice? – Yes.
(Derek then called out towards box).
• Do you remember us from our visit last year? – Yes.
• If you remember us from last time is someone missing? – Yes.
• Is that person female? – Yes.
• Is there a male missing from the box? – yes.
• Did you speak to him last year? – Yes.
• Is Alice the lady who had the accident? – No.
(Just at that moment Soraya, Lisa and Joan Green all saw a shadowy dark shape in colour moving in the middle of the circle.)
• Did the accident happen in this box? – No.
(Soraya sensed a male by the name of McDougall, heavy smoker, top hat, moustache, a regular attender to that box.)
• Do we have a male regular attender here, top hat, smoker and was this his favourite box? – Yes.
(Lisa again saw a dark figure in the left hand of the circle near the pillar.)
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – AUDITORIUM STALLS
TIME: 18:40 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL ONE
Lynn checked that all the seats in the stalls were in the up position. At 18:50 hrs, Lynn heard a low thud coming from the back of the stalls near the bar and on the right hand side. Lynn noted that Leanne Cofax had reacted to the same noise. During the vigil Greg started to feel very cold. At 18:48 hrs, Joan McAuley heard what sounded like faint ‘Bollywood’ music. It was highly probable that the sound was coming from outside. At 18:51 hrs, Joan M noted that the music had stopped. At 18:52 hrs, Joan M felt chilly. At 19:00 hrs, Joan M noted hearing a deep bong sound.
VIGIL SCRIBED BY BILL GREEN
The group sat in the stalls, Derek monitored an area with the Guass Meter but no reading. The group remained in the stalls and Derek went onto the stage. Derek then said he wanted it noted that after asking out for communication, he had witnessed what looked like three vertical lights on the back wall which were red in colour. No equipment was in that area. Derek then described them in detail. Bronach McElhone reported that while Derek was asking out, six or seven orbs were seen on the upper right back area of stage and one was blue in colour.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – PROJECTION ROOM
TIME: 19:05 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
VIGIL TWO
Mark Ord recorded a large temperature fluctuation which was recorded in his notes.
OBSERVATIONS
LISA BOWELL
Lisa and Joan Green heard a shuffling sound as they approached the projection room. Lisa tried to take a photograph of the area and her camera would not work.
CRAIG McDONALD
Craig noted that there was a feeling of watchfulness from the top left hand upper box.
SORAYA BADAR
In the Projection room, Soraya sensed a young man early 20’s, tall around 5ft 10. Slim build, light brown hair. This male worked in the room but did not want to give his name. Soraya did sense the name Luigi.
COLIN FLYNN
Colin was sensing the name John at the back of the Projection room. Colin was also sensing a female with blond hair and blue eyes.
VIGIL SCRIBED BY FIONA BISSET.
At 19:10 hrs the temperature was 16.5C. The team stood on the upper level and Joan started knocking and calling out for a response. Craig noted that on three occasions, the yellow tape was moving on answer to knocks. Soraya then felt breezes of wind and the group agreed that the movement was down to draughts coming through small gaps. No response was recorded from the knocking. At 19:20 hrs, the group moved to the entrance door and Joan called out and Lisa and Fiona were feeling uncomfortable in the area. Lisa sensed something behind her while she was standing at the foot of the steps. At 19:25 hrs, Joan called out again and both Lisa and Fiona felt an atmosphere coming from the location of the first door under the stairs. Lisa began to feel cold and sensed a female presence coming forward. Joan then asked for a temperature drop. Mark then recorded a temperature of 20.5C then the following fluctuations.
16.6C
16.1C
16.0C
15.9C
15.6C
15.4C
Lisa then sensed a blond female and a connection to a young male. Lisa then linked Alice and a name Fentimen. Soraya sensed a young man, the temperature then started to rise to 16.3C then dropped to 15.6C.
Soraya then said that she felt a heat on her face and her forehead. Craig noted feeling very cold.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – UNDERSTAGE
TIME: 19:10 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL TWO
OBSERVATIONS
LEANNE COFAX
Leanne felt very cold where Lynn was standing and did not feel as cold anywhere else.
VIGIL SCRIBED BY BILL GREEN
Derek asked out and Lynn sensed a female Madamoiselle type. The lady was telling Lynn that she was here to take someone to the rustic bridge. Derek then asked for a member of the orchestra to communicate. Leanne noted the name Eleanor. Derek then tried a knock and rap experiment but nothing was recorded. Lynn then received the impression of people being lead out of the area in candlelight, with this came the sense of panic and having to evacuate quickly. Lynn then had the impression of a girl wrapping a clarinet in a blue velvet cloth as though determined not to leave it behind. Derek then moved to the door of the Boiler room. After a few minutes Greg described seeing a male with grey hair and about 5 ft 6 coming towards him. For a moment he thought it was Bill and then realised that bill was sitting further down the room taking notes. Lynn then moved to the area where Greg was certain he had seen something, Lynn felt a definite energy pass her. She then thought of a basket of single flowers and with this she then sensed a male presence and a few of the investigators remarked that they could now smell celery.
Lynn described her communicator as a male with a moustache, tall and the name Andrew Fotheringham. This man had a middle finger missing on his right hand. Lynn said that he was a member of the Orchestra but he did not play. The Group then all clearly heard a sound which sounded like a nasal sniff. Lynn then added that the gentleman’s shoes did not match his outfit and the shoes were brown in colour. Derek then said he could sense someone coming down the passage in a rage, he gave the name Charles. This man was not a conductor but was carrying all the band pieces. He was wearing an evening suit with a red cummerbund.
Lynn then confirmed her communicator was dressed the same. Lynn said he was tall with sharp features and could not play anymore due to the loss of a finger and that he had latterly been in an administrative role. Lynn then sensed the time period was Christmas and she could see what looked like large prop snowballs backstage.
.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – AUDITORIUM/STALLS
TIME: 19:35 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1 AND 2
VIGIL THREE
This vigil was a mediumistic experiment. Lisa, Lynn and Derek were called onto the stage one at a time and asked to give any information which they sensed. Each medium was unaware of what the previous one had been saying.
OBSERVATIONS
SORAYA BADAR
While sitting in the circle in Row G at 19:40 hrs, Soraya felt her seat vibrate. At 19:50 hrs, Soraya could smell intense cigarette smoke and an oppressive headache on the right side of her head. She then picked up the year 1946 and could feel a draught right in front of her. At 19:53 hrs, Soraya hear shuffling and at 19:55 hrs, she had the impression of a man in his mid 30’s and sitting 3 or 4 seats away from her. Soraya sensed that he was a jolly man, had fair hair, blue eyes and the name Gregory. Soraya then felt a kick behind her as if someone was moving their feet and had hit the back of her seat. Throughout the experiment Soraya was aware of something that looked like a shadow walking in the corridor by the fire exit to her right.
COLIN FLYNN
Colin was in the stalls observing and as he was making his way to a seat he heard a loud noise like a growl or someone out of breath.
CRAIG McDONALD
While sitting at the back of the circle, Craig heard the sound of a closing door behind him but all the investigators were in front of him (See EVP notes end of Investigation)
At 19:50 hrs, he noted a cold spot on his left shoulder. At 19:51 hrs, Craig heard movement to his left side and out the corner of his eye he was positive that he had seen someone sitting two rows in front of him and two seats to his right. Craig noted in his book that it was unmistakeable but when he looked around fully no one was there but the area was chilled around him. At 20:00 hrs, Craig became aware of sensing someone to left of the far pillar walking down the stairs, simultaneously Craig turned his torch on and shone it in the same direction, the torch then completely drained of all power. Craig had bought the torch that morning and a brand new set of Duracell batteries. At 20:02 hrs Craig recorded feeling a cold spot on his neck and noted that his torch was working fully again. At 20:16 hrs, he very clearly heard shuffling to his left. At 20:20 hrs, again Craig felt a cold spot around him and at 20:22 hrs, he once again clearly heard shuffling. At 20:24 hrs, he once again heard shuffling and switched the torch on to check the area and once again had battery drainage.
JOAN GREEN
At 20:00 hrs and during the experiment, I had the constant feeling that someone was standing at the stalls entrance door to my left. As Derek started to communicate, I could feel a very cold breeze which seemed to come at me from the front of the stage and roll off the stage towards me like dry ice.
MARK ORD
Mark recorded the following temperatures:
19:45 hrs – 16.8C
19:50 hrs – 17.2C
19:54 hrs – 18.0C
20:01 hrs – 17.5C
20:08 hrs – 16.5C
20:12 hrs – 16.4C
20:16 hrs – 16.1C
During the experiment Mark noted seeing red lights on the back wall of the circle. (This was similar to what Derek had noted earlier). Mark also noted feeling a presence on the stairs coming down from the Projection room.
JOAN McAULEY
19:50 hrs, Joan had the impression of a flapper dress from the 1920’s.
THREE MEDIUMS EXPERIMENT SCRIBE BILL GREEN
LYNN ROBERTSON
Lynn sensed a man called Peter who was very short of breath. Lynn sensed him at the back of the circle. The man was very nervous and was looking about. He was then opening a silver topped cigarette case and tapping a cigarette on the case. He then sat with his legs crossed and looked as though he was still sweating but looked more settled. Lynn then sensed a young lady who was sitting in the stalls wearing a flapper dress, hat and a fur coat and she kept checking on her hand bag which was situated beside the gent sitting next to her. Lynn then sensed the orchestra starting up with an imposing introduction. A lady then came onto the stage ready to sing. She was wearing a green dress with a shimmering courage on her left shoulder. Her hair looked like 1940’s and was rolled back and held with a diamonte butterfly clip in her hair. Lynn then described her singing in the correct pose with her hands at her diaphram. Lynn said that she was looking out to the audience for the man and also other people that she knew. She was standing to the middle of the stage but her shoes were giving her trouble.
LISA BOWELL
Lisa sensed Albert Finnegan in the circle. She then said that she could see lights shooting about in the area of the circle. A white misty shape was coming down the centre aisle of the circle and she also sensed someone walking down the right hand steps of the circle. Lisa then added that a male presence was coming through. He was wearing a Bowler hat, handlebar moustache, a checked waistcoat. He was very dapper. Lisa felt he was in a management position and very dynamic and energetic but forceful. Lisa then said she could see a shadow in the stalls and she again commented on the misty shape coming from behind a pillar on the right side and walk down the stairs. Lisa then added that most of the activity was on the right hand side of the circle and she also noted that she could see figures coming in and out of the area under the Actors box.
DEREK GREEN
Derek said that he sensed the name Marguerita, he had the impression of a lady with Black hair, slim build and about 5ft 6 in height. Derek then said a war of words had taken place and started stage right in the wings and proceeded to carry on right round backstage. Marguerita was speaking in English and Italian and the man was the same. Derek then sensed the name Sally and explained that she had been an employee at the theatre, the year was 1940 and he could hear an Air raid Siren. Sally worked in the auditorium and just for a few seconds Derek could visualise her. Derek then picked up a different male energy at the back of the circle. This was an old gentleman late 60’s early 70’s and shabbily dressed. He was on the right hand side of the auditorium. Derek then sensed a lady called Dorothy who was sitting in the 5th row of the stalls five seats in.
Derek then asked the investigators about their observations. Joan G reported that she had seen Lynn’s face disappear as though her head was shrouded with mist. Lynn said that from the stage she could sense a woman getting out of her seat 3 rows behind Mark. Lisa and Lynn then both said that they had seen lights at the top right of the circle. Bill Green then commented that the stage was getting colder. Derek then said that he noticed someone stand up behind Bronach. Derek then asked Bronach if she would stand up. He then confirmed it was not Bronach that he had seen. Derek then described sensing a lovely back cloth with trees, flowers and birds and that Marguerita was standing in front of the footlights with a flower in her dress. A man was sitting in the box to the right and she was constantly glancing to the man. Derek felt there was something between them. Most of her singing was focussed on the man and he was wearing a trilby hat which he had pulled down over his eyes to cover his face. Derek felt that she was seeing a lot of men. Derek then stated that he could see 8 – 10 roses being thrown at the dressing room door by Marguerita- she had done this in anger.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – UNDERSTAGE
TIME: 20:30 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
VIGIL FOUR
On entering the area everyone agreed that they were all feeling cold. Joan then rapped for response but no reply came forward. Joan then asked some questions and again no response. Some of the group felt fluctuations in energy, possibly due to a vague sense of presences but nothing definite.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – PROJECTION ROOM
TIME: 20:35 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL FOUR
OBSERVATIONS
LEANNE COFAX
Leanne sensed a male energy by the name of Norman and she thought he may have been the handy man.
GREG ROBERSTON
Greg commented that he was now on his third set of batteries.
VIGIL SCRIBED BY BILL GREEN
Lynn started to sense a dishevelled gent about 5ft 4 with grey high waisted trousers, woollen braces and a collarless shirt. She stated that he liked a drink and had a shuffling walk. He spoke about his lordship and saluted. Lynn felt he was there because he was hiding his drink in the area. He was not clean as his trousers were stained. He then handed Lynn firelighters and he rolled his own cigarettes with a tin of tobacco. He had a thin cigarette hanging from his mouth and was laughing with front teeth missing. He had been there for years. He said to Lynn “I’ve seen it all darlin” He then showed Lynn a big old fashioned key and then said to Lynn “Don’t annoy me darlin”. He showed Lynn a picture of himself as a commissionaire in his younger days.
Derek during this vigil was taking some photographs when all of a sudden he felt sick and had to leave the vigil.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – ON STAGE
TIME: 21:00 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
VIGIL FIVE
As the group came out onto the stage Lisa saw movement to her left hand side and described seeing what looked like a person moving away from the from the front of the stage (See next vigil from group 2) The group gathered on the stage and decided to try something ridiculous to try and trigger a response. Joan, Lisa and Soraya started to sing Ten Green Bottles. At 21:08 hrs, Joan heard a noise on stage left prompt corner. The noise was like a tray dropping. Mark Ord also witnessed the same sound come from the wings. The area was checked and revealed nothing.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – THE CIRCLE
TIME: 21:00
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP TWO
VIGIL FIVE
Derek came to the back of the circle and looked down at the front of the stage when he noticed seeing what looked like one of the team from Group 1 moving away from the stage on the floor and disappearing to the right. Derek then noted that all Group 1 walked onto the stage just as the figure disappeared out of view. Derek did not know that Lisa had seen the same figure and seen it move in the same direction as Derek but with Lisa it moved away to her left.
Group 2’s vigil remained very quiet.
BREAK
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – AUDITORIUM/STAGE
TIME: 22:00 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: ALL
VIGIL SIX
A second experiment was conducted. The object of this experiment was to try and recreate a scene before curtain up, with a recorded excerpt from opera then applause. At the end of the recording there followed a silent vigil. Derek and Greg remained on the stage and the rest of the team were split between the stalls and the circle.
OBSERVATIONSDEREK GREEN
During the silence Greg and I began to hear shuffling noises coming from the stage right wings. The noises were likened to someone who was wearing a large dress and swishing against objects. The noise got loud enough that I had to get to my feet at 20:20 hrs and investigate the wings area. I could find no trace of the sound.
LISA BOWELL - CIRCLE
Lisa was seated in the circle and when Greg started the Vocal warm up she saw a large black shadow pass up the middle stair of the circle. Lisa got the impression that the singer knew it was a set up and would not play along. Lisa then noted that she felt that someone was sitting behind her. Lisa then noted that the figure had moved out the exit door by the time the female recording was playing. Lisa also felt the temperature drop and was aware of energies coming to sit in the row in front. Lisa also wrote in her notes that she felt the theatre become darker.
SORAYA BADAR
Soraya felt a cold chill in the fourth row and she too saw a black shadow during the warm up. Soraya noted that she too felt movement in the seat in front of her but could not see anybody sitting in them. At 22:18 hrs. Soraya heard footsteps on the stage and in the area in front of the stalls.
CRAIG McDONALD CIRCLE
Craig reported in his notes that he felt very cold at the back of the circle and very apprehensive. At 22:07 hrs, Craig again had a feeling of watchfulness and at 22:12 hrs he noted seeing movement in the dark. At 22:18 hrs, Craig noted movement again and at 22:31 hrs, he heard shuffling and sensed a cold spot which made him come out in goosebumps. At 22:37 hrs, Craig again had battery drainage!!!!!!
LYNN ROBERTSON - STALLS
At 22:00 hrs, I heard a thud stage right as music played then noise stage left. I felt very uneasy while I was sitting in the stalls listening to the music. At 22:10 hrs, I heard a thud stage left and at 22:15 hrs, I heard a thud behind me in the auditorium. I am feeling very anxious. I now hear movement stage left and Derek has got up to investigate, the time is 22:20 hrs. Greg has also responded to the same sounds I have heard. 22:25 hrs, Derek has got up again to investigate sounds. I hear a rustling sound off stage left.
LEANNE COFAX - CIRCLE
I felt cold during the vigil and behind me I hear shuffling noises. Craig McDonald has also hear them as I see him react.
FIONA BISSET – CIRCLE
I felt the atmosphere change as singing continues. I felt a distant chill behind me. After music stopped feel cold air around me. Lisa is very cold too. Starting to feel uncomfortable here. When music finished the atmosphere in the theatre was charged. Derek also wanted to know if anyone was sitting in top left of circle. Fiona, Lisa and Craig confirmed no, but feel a presence here.
VIGIL SCRIBED BY BILL GREEN
Derek reported that while music was playing he saw a white light at the back of the circle and then a few minutes later he saw it again. It was confirmed no torches were on. Derek also saw a shadow moving up the centre aisle during the singing (see Lisa’s account earlier, same vigil.) Derek then reported at the end of the Aria, both himself and Greg heard the sound of rustling clothing in the wings and behind the back cloth. Derek felt that during the Aria it was quite comfortable but after the tape ceased it got colder again.
The area in the circle where Derek felt there was movement corresponded to Lisa’s sighting at the same time. During this vigil,various torches were playing up and batteries draining, having to be replaced by different people at different times.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – ON STAGE
TIME: 22:55 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: ALL
VIGIL SEVEN
JOAN GREEN
While circle was being conducted on the stage, I was standing near stage right at back cloth and felt extremely uneasy as though I constantly expected to see someone standing there.
CRAIG McDONALD
1955
“Bob”
Spotlight/lightman
Friendly
35 years, Heart condition.
I felt myself spinning during the circle and I felt light headed but warm. Bob put his hand on my shoulder as if to say “here, let me show you something”.
CIRCLE SCRIBED BY BILL GREEN
CIRCLE SITTERS
LISA
LYNN
CRAIG
GREG
BRONACH
• Lynn opens circle
• Derek getting an EMF reading of 3mG off Craig.
• Lisa felt cold air.
• Craig senses someone behind him.
• Craig feels someone lean over him.
• Bronach and Lisa feel light headed.
• Lynn senses man behind Craig with large nose and eyebrows and pixie likeface.
• Several people all aware of a male presence.
• Year 1940.
• Charlie with a pencil behind his ear.
• Lynn senses a lady in black with mantilla headdress and flowing gown standing behind Lisa and Craig.
• Craig feels hand on his shoulder.
• Lynn senses a Chinese lady beside Lisa.
• Bronach smells pine or lavender.
• Lisa senses male, white shirt open at neck.
• Craig senses this too.
• Empty stage spotlight.
• Lisa has impression of lots of laughter.
• Derek requests Marguerita to draw close to sitters.
END OF CIRCLE
After this vigil, Lisa was making her way up the back stair, Craig McDonald was in front of her. Lisa put her torch on and there was someone suddenly stepping between Lisa and Craig. Lisa described it as a black human shape. Lisa got a fright, it only lasted for a few seconds and then the figure vanished.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – AUDITORIUM
TIME: 23:20 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: ALL
VIGIL EIGHT
OBSERVATIONS
CRAIG McDONALD
Craig was sitting in the back row of the circle left hand side.
23:21 hrs, Shivers down my spine, feelings of not alone, heavy pressure here, I feel hemmed in.
23:30 hrs, Very warm, I’m sweating.
23:32 hrs, feel as though I’m in someone’s seat.
23:35 hrs, Voice from the Projection room, inaudible.
Craig then noted the following I SHOULD BE IN SEAT 35.
LISA BOWELL
2nd top box on left of circle very strong energy that I don’t like. On entering the box I felt very cold. When Derek was asking for opinions on where togo on last vigil, I sensed people bobbing up and down on last row. A man was leaning on back of circle with elbows resting, watching.
FIONA BISSET
I feel very uneasy and I feel theatre has a heavy atmosphere when quiet. Lisa has seen a black shadow moving along the back of the circle from behind Derek to where Craig is sitting.
LYNN AND GREG ROBERTSON
Greg and Lynn were in Actors box. Lynn sensed a lady called Charmaine, she belonged to the Gentry. She appeared to have bells palsy down the left hand side of her face. Lynn then sensed that the lady came in a different door to enter the box as she did not want to be seen. Lynn then stated that she was not dressed in the same period as the audience. Lynn stated that the gentleman sitting beside the lady was dressed differently as well with buckled shoes, velvet breeches and a curly style Cavalier wig and the name of Franco came through. Lynn then said she was being shown a bridge coming down through the flies and something snapping and it hitting the stage with two people on it.
Just as Lynn and Greg were ready to leave the box they both heard two seats springing back up in the stalls but nobody was in the area as all the team were sitting in the circle.
LOCATION: ALHAMBRA THEATRE – STALLS BAR
TIME: 23:35 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP ALL
VIGIL NINE
23:42 hrs, a thump was heard from behind the bar.
23:55 hrs, whispering was hear from right side of auditorium
A mist was seen on the stage and a black shape was seen moving through the exit door on the left hand side of the auditorium. Lisa noted that she thought it was Derek until she realised that he was standing close by.
24:00 HRS, INVESTIGATION STOOD DOWN.
_________________________________________________________________
EVP Experiments
Two EVP Experiments were conducted by the following:
Experiment One:
Your Tiny Hand is Frozen
Time: 4m 45 Seconds
Jose Carreras
From La Boheme
After music had finished the EVP recording continued to run and the following sounds were recorded.
File: WS20007 : Running Time 32:17 minutes.
16: 00 – SLIGHT BANG
17:26-17:27 – DOOR BANG AND SHUFFLING.
17:26- 19:11 NOISES AND MOVEMENT SOUNDS
21:48- 21:57 – FAINT MOVEMENT NOISES
22:15-22:30 – MOVEMENT
Experiment Two
Followed in this order:
DRESSING ROOM CALL’ OVERTURE AND BEGINNERS PLEASE’ – Derek
VOCAL WARM UP – Greg Robertson
AUDIO RECORDING – THEATRE MURMUR Time: 1 Minute.
SILENCE – Time: 10 Seconds.
They Call me Mimi
Time: 5m 24 Seconds
Renata Tebaldi
Soprano Aria from La Boheme
Applause with shouts of ‘encore’ Time: 30 Seconds
End of recording.
___________________________________________________________
SUMMING UP
JOAN GREEN GROUP 1
It was an interesting evening of a different kind second time around. It was more senses and feelings this time. I found myself thinking that the investigation had run almost like a show, becoming quieter as ‘show time’came to an end i.e. when the time for curtain down would be happening. From about 22.30 onwards things became decidedly quieter almost as though ‘the show was over’. The Alhambra is a most atmospheric building and quite’intense’ in places. I personally feel that there is something ‘present’ in the building and in its character and it is a fascinating building to be in late at night and I do wonder what might happen there ‘in the wee small hours of the morning. I do feel a recording taken during these hours might turn up a few surprises!
DEREK GREEN
Firstly on behalf of The Ghost Club Council, myself and the investigation team, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Bill Fletcher and the Alhambra Theatre for all their courtesy, assistance and input in making this investigation possible for members of The Ghost Club.
Again this second investigation at the Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline was a very interesting night. From the notes, there would appear to be a few possible sightings in the circle area which were observed by more than one person at the same time. There would also appear to have been some auditory phenomena which took on the sounds of shuffling, footsteps, bangs and a door slam which was caught on EVP. Obviously the door slam could not be investigated as no one was aware that it had taken place. However, I can state that at the time of the noise on the recorder all the team were relaxing in the Green Room backstage having their break. Nobody else was in the building. Some of the mediumistic evidence I have not noted as it was also picked up last year and I am fairly certain that a couple of notes were simply auto-suggestion from the 2008 investigation.
There was a tremendous atmosphere in the Theatre that night and I feel that the energy left over from the open day could have helped. It was estimated that over 1200 people had attended the Open Day, had enjoyed a walk around the building and watched rehearsed on stage excerpts from the Wizard of Oz stage musical.
In the space of one year there have been further considerable advancements in the Theatre refurbishment programme and for that alone it should be noted that abig thank you goes to Bill Fletcher and his dedicated team who have strived to make this venue once again a fully working Palace of Variety.
All the investigation team agreed that the Alhambra does hold a very strange atmosphere and when you are in the building you can‘t help but feel you have stepped into a different time period and that it is not down to the age or décor of the building.
Since the 2008 Investigation, there have been quite a few reports of Paranormal occurrences from members of staff. Most of these have taken on the form of auditory phenomena with one or two reports of physical phenomena. One recent account unnerved two members of staff while locking up.
I do feel that there is possible activity of some kind in the building as there are too many reports to discount the alleged hauntings. I for one and I know other members of the Investigation team would be very interested to return and conduct a final investigation of the Alhambra Theatre in 2010.
Once again, on behalf of myself, the Investigation team, and the Ghost Club Council I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Bill Fletcher, Steven and the staff of the Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline for making this investigation possible for members of The Ghost Club.
Derek Green
Area Investigation Co-ordinator (Scotland)
Monday 21 September 2009
© The Ghost Club 2010
