NGI

... Head over to Haunted UK for a review of the general history and haunted history of the Darlington Civic Theater. Alternatively, use the table of contents to view the reports for each location.

Dressing Room 12

Hidden away through a maze-like warren of corridors was Dressing Room 12 - a part of the Theatre which was later built on top of slum houses.

The room was medium sized and consisted of mirrors along the length of 2 parralel walls and within the center of the room we arranged a number of chairs into a small circle.

Group 1 Report : Jay Claire Various Guests

The dressing room at first seemed disappointing. It was in this room where we had been informed a small girl usually showed up and had regularly communicated with people. We tried a little calling out and a couple of people attempted to scry in the mirrors but sadly for us .. nothing (although somebody did get a little freaked with the scrying - nothing paranormal really).

Until, that is - about half way through our vigil - we began a Ouija session with everyone sitting in a circle around the central table. Although the Ouija produced nothing but gibberish - one of the participants suddenly said she felt could on her right hand side - and felt as though somebody was standing right behind her. If so, we encouraged whoever that was to move around the table so others could feel the presence.

We let go of the Ouija and all held hands and started a small seance. Again, this cold presence was reported at the shoulder and then others began to feel a coldness creep around the circle. Jay and Claire who were sat next to each other both reported each others hand who they were holding go icey cold.

At one point, Claire left the circle and exited the room to check the corridor after a noise had been heard out there. Jay carried on leading the seance. From outside, Claire shouted that she was hearing a knocking sound - but it only happened when Jay was talking.

Everyone else left the dressing room - leaving Jay by himself in the darkness to continue calling out and Claires report was confirmed - Each time Jay was actually talking and calling out there were small tap-taps on one of the outside walls of the dressing room which fell silent when he did.

Group 2 Report : Carol Julie Karl Lisa James Sharon

After a little while of adjusting to the surroundings, Carol began calling out. Four of us were seated around a table which was in the middle of the room. Lisa was sat facing a mirror, which had a Plasma Ball near by.

Lisa suddenly felt the presence of a little girl looking over her shoulder. Lisa could see the reflection/image of the little girl - who she thought looked about 7 years of age, in the mirror in front of her.

Carol took a temperature reading on the mirror wall, and it read 15.3c. She called out to the little girl but no response, so she asked if Lisa would do the honours, seeing as she was the only person in the room who had a connection with this particular spirit.

Sadly Lisa was too scared, and wanted to move and stop facing the mirror. I took Lisa's place but sadly I could not see anything in the mirror, along with Karl who also saw nothing.

It has to be borne in mind, that Lisa's Father had passed away a few weeks back, which may of accounted for some of her experiences this night. Although Lisa said she never classed herself as sensitive to spirit before this, it did appear that the death of her Father brought these feelings to the fore, especially regarding the Auditorium and this location.

Unfortunately, Lisa and Karl left halfway into the vigil and went home, so therefore missed out on the last location.

Group 3 Report : Mark Phil Tracy Sharon Margaret

The group sits down at the table and attempts to do a Ouija Session. This proves fruitless. All the group at this point are feeling a bit deflated and sit around chatting about the paranormal in general.

All of a sudden the temperature in the rooms seems to drop suddenly and the whole atmosphere seems to change and become 'more heavy'. It is then decided to try the Ouija board once more. Almost immediately the planchette responds by moving to 'yes' when asked if there is a spirit with us.

Mark and one of the guests distinctly feel a cold draft blow across their hands whilst touching the planchette. When asked if the spirit is a girl, the planchette responds by pointing to 'yes'. When asked 'her' age, the planchette points to 8. When asked to spell out 'her' name the planchette points to 'H' and then 'U'. The 'girl' seemed to be a happy soul who enjoyed coming to watch the other children in the dressing room through the mirrors.(note: Other than the fact she is a young girl, this information does not match with the the stories of the girl that is supposed to be present in dressing room 12).

The session was then interrupted by Margaret claiming that she had been prodded in her back through the open back of the chair she was sat on. No EMF recorded and photos of the area showed nothing unusual.

The Ouija session was then continued with the planchette moving to the latter 'W' when asked to spell her name again. When asked her age again the planchette moved to 9 this time instead of 8.

The atmosphere had gradually turned back to how it had been before and there was no more response from the board.

(Note from Mark: Up until this point I have never had any success with a Ouija Board. I am as certain as I can be that none of the participants were knowingly moving the planchette and I studied their fingertips closely. We also took turns at removing each of our fingers fro the planchette as it was moving and it continued to move. There was also a time when none of the guests had their fingers on the planchette (just Phil and I), and it still continued to move. All in all, a very interesting experience).

The rest of the vigil was uneventful.