A historic Liverpool theatre "came alive" as ghost hunters got to work.
The Epstein Theatre was built back in 1913 and has staged thousands of performances down the decades. Paranormal investigators Chris Cummings and Adam Billing were surprised at what they saw when they were offered the chance to visit.
The much loved theatre went into administration in December 2017 and closed its doors in March 2020 during lockdown. It eventually re-opened in 2021 under new management. As Chris and Adam have spent the last few years as paranormal investigators, their experience at the theatre was "one of the scariest".
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Chris, a retail customs officer, said: "I actually saw a ghost of a man. The camera caught my reaction. I could see just enough to walk and right in front of me, in the middle section of seats, there was a man looking at the stage. He didn't acknowledge me or move but clear as day he was there."
It is believed the ghost of the man is linked to the "sad tale of a worker who fell from the balcony and died in the exact same space", Chris said. He added: "He was smart, had a beard and short hair and looked like he was in a suit.
"It was one of the scariest things to have happened to me. I know what I saw and people say why don't you get it on camera but it's about spectrums of light, what we see may not be picked up on a night camera.
"There was also a very brief flash of bright lights. I only spotted it when I was looking back through. A few weeks after filming we were told a ghost of a cleaner likes to sit three seats in on the front row, exactly where we saw the light. It just puts credibility to what we see."
Chris met primary school teacher Adam two years ago and during the pandemic, they decided to set up their own 'Haunted Scouse' YouTube channel, exploring Liverpool's spookiest places. What began as a hobby, Chris and Adam wanted to share Liverpool's important history and it has grown from strength to strength.
But after two years of trying, they finally got to visit one of their "most wanted" places - Liverpool's much loved Epstein Theatre.
Chris told the ECHO: "Manager Anthony Proctor contacted us, he loves the paranormal and wanted us to come to the theatre before the Haunting of Blaine Manor play which tied in beautifully for us.
"Liverpool has such a working class, historical background and the theatre is one of those places that no matter your social background, you could put on your finery and watch a show. So much complex life has been and gone there and that's why we wanted to go.
"Parts of the building are Grade I and Grade II listed and are unspoilt and it was still a functional theatre so it was a dream come true. I remember when I was eight, I'd go with the school and I can remember watching a show vividly, sitting on the balcony, looking at the architecture.
"It was the main theatre in Liverpool and means a lot to many of us. It's something the city should be proud of and we are proud in a small way to help promote it on our channel and remind people it's still here."
Armed with their equipment, the pair immediately got to work but were admittedly creeped out when their paratunes, designed to pick up energy sources, began to play the tune of "hush little baby". Chris said: "Straight away there was an energy on the stage that we couldn't explain.
"But here, it was far more than we expected. We hadn't been to the theatre in a long time and we got to go back stage to the original dressing rooms, it was such a privilege. It was very humbling, everything and more. For the upcoming play on November 4, unbeknownst to ticket holders, there will be two people in one seat."
The full video can be watched via their YouTube page here.
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