Home to more than 140 ghosts and the site of over 500 recorded hauntings, our city is regularly rated amongst the most haunted in the world. To celebrate Halloween, we caught up with one of York’s best-loved spectral figures, the Grey Lady of York Theatre Royal, for a chinwag about gin, forbidden flings, and the perils of celibacy…
Hello, Grey Lady. What can you tell us about your past life, and how did you end up being entombed in York Theatre Royal?
Greetings, my child. You may know me as the Grey Lady, but my name is Sister Florence. I was once a nun at St Leonard’s Hospital, the largest medieval infirmary in the north, some of which remains beneath the theatre. Regrettably, whilst working at St Lenny’s, I was compelled to break my vow of chastity. I fell in love with a local nobleman – he was quite the catch! My Mother Superior was none too pleased when she found out, and as punishment, I was locked away in a windowless room, where I died and have remained ever since…
What a nightmare. Was the forbidden romance worth all the trouble?
In truth, it was not worth hundreds of years of imprisonment, although I still miss my forbidden fella dearly. However, I am not ashamed. I’m only human – or at least, I was.
It’s said that sightings of your apparition in the dress circle bring good luck. Are you happy to have a positive influence, despite your dire circumstances?
Oh yes, I always say a prayer before each production, hoping the performers will break a leg, figuratively of course. I don’t mean any harm, and I get to see some fantastic theatre productions, for free!
Your story inspired the creation of York Gin’s Grey Lady Gin – how does it feel to have an award-winning tipple named in your honour?
Well, I don’t imbibe in alcohol. According to Proverbs 20:1, “wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and anyone led astray by them is not wise”. While I haven’t tasted it myself, I hear it goes down quite smoothly – and, I suppose, it’s nice to get some recognition after all these years.
We also hear you’ll be making an appearance at the York Dungeon this month. Are you excited to welcome (and scare) some new visitors over the spooky season?
It gets lonely in the theatre, so I do enjoy a change of scenery, and it’s always nice to meet new folk. I never go out of my way to scare people, but it seems to come naturally, unfortunately! I’m very friendly, as far as ghosts go – there are far more frightful ghouls and apparitions roaming the city, especially on weekends and racedays…
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