Question 1

Why are old theaters like the Avon Theatre considered "energetic beacons" for hauntings?

Accepted Answer

Theaters are viewed as energetic beacons because they act as emotional batteries that collect and store a century's worth of raw human emotion. Every night, hundreds of people gather in a confined space to laugh, cry, or gasp in terror, while actors backstage experience high levels of adrenaline and nerves. This massive discharge of energy is believed to be absorbed by the building's wood and stone, creating a reservoir of history that spirits can tap into or remain trapped within.

Question 2

Who is the "Man in the Balcony" at the Avon Theatre?

Accepted Answer

The Man in the Balcony is the most famous resident ghost of the Avon Theatre, often described as a figure with a pale, glowing face who sits alone in the dark. Staff members frequently mistake him for a living patron who stayed behind after a show, but he vanishes the moment someone approaches to speak to him. While some believe he is the ghost of a dedicated former janitor who lived in the theater, others suggest he could be Ambrose Small, the millionaire theater mogul who mysteriously vanished in 1919.

Question 3

What was the "Crime of the Century" involving Ambrose Small?

Accepted Answer

The "Crime of the Century" refers to the unexplained disappearance of Ambrose Small in 1919. Small was a wealthy theater mogul who owned a chain of playhouses, including the Theatre Albert (now the Avon). Immediately after selling his theater chain for 1.7 million dollars and being seen buying a newspaper in Toronto, he vanished without a trace. No body or leads were ever found, and his ghost is now said to haunt several of his former properties, sometimes appearing to protect the buildings or interact with performers.

Question 4

What is the significance of the "phantom violinist" at the Queen’s Inn?

Accepted Answer

The phantom violinist is a recurring phenomenon on the second floor of the Queen’s Inn in Stratford. Guests have reported hearing loud, beautiful violin music coming from vacant rooms, a claim that was once verified by a manager who heard the music through a guest's phone line. When the room was investigated, it was found to be ice-cold and completely empty. This haunting is thought to be an "echo" of the past, possibly linked to the building's long history and a devastating fire in the late 1800s.

Question 5

How did the haunting of the Phelps family differ from the theater ghosts?

Accepted Answer

Unlike the relatively passive "Man in the Balcony," the haunting of the Phelps family in 1850 was aggressive and disruptive, fitting the profile of a poltergeist. The activity included furniture being smashed, objects moving in slow motion, and the creation of unsettling "dummies" made from clothes and stuffed with rags to parody a prayer meeting. The entity specifically targeted the son, Henry, physically throwing him across rooms or setting his bed on fire, suggesting a more malicious and intentional presence than the residual energy found in theaters.

Avon Theatre Hauntings and the Spirits of the Stage

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