THE PINNACLE PLAYHOUSE - SHADOWICC 'S John Boyd is no stranger at the Pinnacle Playhouse
in Belleville ,On. He has performed in 2 productions and also was
a musician for 2 productions. He has had 3 different times when
strange things have happened. In his many years in Belleville,
John has heard many different stories from " the Playhouse ". He
feels that it is one of Belleville 's most active sites.
The Belleville Theater Guild was started in 1951 by Gladys and
Bert Simpson in their home. The Simpsons and a group of friends
performed their first play which won great praise and awards.
The early fifties was a grand time for the local guild but, as the
invention of the television took over households, the theater biz
suffered.
Over the next decade, the theater guild was forced to use meager
or donated space, to keep the dreams alive. In 1969 they acquired
the old D. L. storey building and renamed it after the street it's
on " THE PINNACLE PLAYHOUSE ".
The building went under massive renovations and expansions from
it's initial purchase. Since the first construction process to the
present day , " things " have started to happen.
Over the years reports of spirits that have returned for a final
show run rampant. The most prominent spirit guild members have
nicknamed " OPHELIA " , but she is only one of a cast of ghosts.
Many people have witnessed a janitor , a lady , and various other
spirits who decide to sit in on performances from time to time.
OPHELIA is the most active spirit. Her voice has been heard from
behind wall and backstage. OPHELIA has been seen materializing
through walls and vanishing into thin air. She is a benevolent
soul as are most of the spirit patrons in the crowd , But , there
is also a real " spookster ".
There has been many reports of male figure that lurks in the
building. Most people agree that he used to be a janitor there.
He has been seen on the stage area with a broom sweeping. His
keys have been heard jingling on the ring. A pair of green
eyes have been seen staring out through vents in the stage area.
The most unsettling thing of all is the ladies washroom. Staff and
patrons have reported hearing a creepy male laughing which they
think is the janitor.
Other reports have involved a female shadow. She has been seen
moving back and forth in the control booth. She likes to stroll
the lighting catwalk backstage.
The following is one of John's story. He and 5 other people all saw
and heard what he thinks was OPHELIA. John then explained what
happened to the director and was told about OPHELIA. The names
of the people have been omitted due to their wishes.
The Pinnacle Playhouse - May 1990 - 11:15 P.M. John's Log.
I finished the last performance of " Once Upon A Mattress " and
we were the last ones to leave. We had been taking off make -up
and costumes when I heard someone in the off stage area.
I didn't really give it anymore thought, all I wanted to do was go
home. One of my fellow cast members than said , " Be Quiet . . . Do
You hear that ? " The group quieted down and sat listening. All of
the sudden I heard the voice again coming from the wall beside
us. '" What the hell is that ? " someone asked. " Who's There ? " asked
another person. We waited for an answer but none came.
The 3 girls that were with us started to freak out. " Where is it
coming from ? " . " It's getting louder and closer ! " . " I'll wait for
you guys outside ! " " Have fun getting to the front door alone "
I laughed. Then I heard a scream from behind me.
One of the girls froze as she pointed to the curtain. A pair of
shoes could be seen standing behind it. I told the others to keep
talking as I tip - toed over to the curtain. As I crept closer the
shoes didn't move. As I went behind one of the props, I heard the
screaming start. I turned around and found the four others wide
eyed , white and pointing behind me. I wheeled around and caught
the glimpse of something walking into the wall. The shadow just
vanished and the shoes were gone.
All of us then ran to the front doors as fast as our feet could go.
The box office agent stopped us on our way out. " What's Wrong ?"
he asked . . . " Just seeing things . . Overtired and all." I said. We
all ran to the cars and left. That was my first encounter with the
Spirits of the Pinnacle Playhouse.
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