Legends 58: Take a Bow

Summary

Lore Episode Summary

Title: Legends 58: Take a Bow
Host/Author: Aaron Mahnke
Release Date: July 21, 2025
Description: Lore delves into dark historical tales, exploring mysterious creatures, tragic events, and unusual places that populate the pages of history. In "Legends 58: Take a Bow," Aaron Mahnke uncovers the haunted history of several iconic theaters, revealing the spirits that linger behind the curtains.

---

The Curse of Macbeth

The episode opens with a discussion on the infamous curse associated with Shakespeare's Macbeth, widely known as "The Scottish Play." According to superstition, uttering the name "Macbeth" within a theater invites disaster.

Theater Historian: "Superstition claims that saying the word Macbeth in a theater will result in disaster." [01:27]

Urban legends suggest the curse stemmed from a coven of witches angered by Shakespeare's incorporation of real spells into his script. However, practical explanations point to financial hardships faced by theaters during downturns, leading them to blame unfortunate events on the play.

Notable historical incidents linked to the curse include:

• 1947: An actor playing Macbeth was fatally injured during a sword fight on stage.
• 1964: A Portuguese theater burned down during a production of Macbeth.
• 1980: A production company dissolved shortly after staging the play.

Theater Historian: "But when that isn't enough to save them from ruin, at least they now have a convenient scapegoat." [01:57]

---

The Ghost of Louis Bosellina at the Palace Theater

Transitioning to the haunted Palace Theater, Aaron Mahnke introduces Louis Bosellina, an acrobat whose tragic accident left a lasting spectral presence.

Theater Historian: "One visiting psychic revealed that she sensed exactly 103 souls." [04:47]

Louis Bosellina's Tragedy

On August 27, 1935, during a performance by the Forecasting Pearls, Louis attempted a double somersault but tragically missed his partner's hand, falling 18 feet and sustaining severe injuries. Although he survived, the traumatic event is believed to anchor his spirit to the theater.

Theater Historian: "Stagehands say that they frequently see a man in an old fashioned white acrobat costume spinning around on the dress circle." [06:48]

Witnesses report seeing Louis performing his acrobatics in the afterlife, often ending in perilous falls that mirror his real-life accident.

Theater Historian: "He fell 18ft, hitting the stage with a sickening crash." [05:58]

---

The Ghost of David Belasco at the Belasco Theater

David Belasco, an influential actor, producer, and playwright, left a profound legacy with the Belasco Theater, which he built in 1907. Known as the "Bishop of Belasco," his dedication to the theater extended beyond his lifetime.

Theater Historian: "He came to be called the Bishop of Belasco." [09:24]

After Belasco's death in 1931, his spirit remained a fixture in the theater. Reports include:

• Sightings of him in his signature black suits, shaking hands with patrons.
• Instances of mischief, such as dressing room disturbances and unexplained noises from his rooftop apartment.
• 2010 Renovation Impact: Post-renovation, sightings of Belasco have diminished, possibly indicating his contentment with the theater’s continued success.

Theater Historian: "She's seen as a friendly, benevolent spirit." [17:46]

---

The Haunting of Olive Thomas at the New Amsterdam Theatre

Olive Thomas, once celebrated as "the most beautiful girl in New York City," has become one of Broadway's most active and benevolent spirits at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Olive's Rise and Tragic Demise

After winning a beauty competition in 1914, Olive became a Ziegfeld girl, captivating audiences with her charm and talent. Her promising career was cut short when she tragically died in 1920 following complications from syphilis contracted from her husband, Jack Pickford.

Theater Historian: "Olive was nothing if not driven. She wanted to make an even bigger name for herself." [12:23]

Hauntings and Interactions

Since her death, Olive's presence has been a common sight:

• 1952: A handyman saw Olive in her iconic green dress carrying a blue bottle.
• 1993: A security guard encountered her on stage, leading him to quit after a chilling interaction.

Olive typically appears to men, offering playful gestures like winks and kisses, though she occasionally manifests as a crying woman in her burial dress.

Theater Historian: "Olive is a welcome presence at the New Amsterdam Theatre." [18:19]

Notable Incident: During a 2025 preview of Aladdin, a female conductor sought Olive's luck, resulting in subtle supernatural acknowledgments that indicated Olive's supportive spirit.

Theater Historian: "She probably was. After all, a Ziegfeld girl has got to support her fellow women." [20:35]

---

The Haunted Little Black Jacket at the Trafalgar Square Theater

The final tale explores the mysterious occurrences surrounding a vintage little black jacket in London's Trafalgar Square Theater.

The Jacket's Curse

Originally part of a Victorian-era production, the jacket began exhibiting strange behaviors:

• Understated wearers, like Erica Foyle, experienced tightening sensations reminiscent of strangulation.
• Reports included visions of previous wearers and physical marks appearing after removal.

Theater Historian: "The medium said that she had a vision of Derek attacking Edith, wrapping his hands around her throat." [29:31]

Attempts to Break the Curse

Attempts to rid the theater of the jacket included:

• 1949 Experiments: Sending the jacket to Mount Whitney and Death Valley for spiritual cleansing, after which the jacket's whereabouts became unknown.

Thora: "No one has heard of the jacket's whereabouts ever since, and honestly, that's something that I'm totally okay with." [31:36]

---

Conclusion

"Legends 58: Take a Bow" masterfully intertwines histories of haunted theaters with personal tragedies and supernatural lore. From cursed plays to benevolent and vengeful spirits, Aaron Mahnke paints a vivid picture of the unseen dramas that play out behind the stage. Whether it's the lingering presence of performers like Louis Bosellina and Olive Thomas or the enigmatic curses cast upon iconic garments and plays, this episode underscores the enduring magic—and mystery—of the theatrical world.

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Notable Quotes:

• Theater Historian: "It's one of the only places where magic is still possible." [01:02]
• Thora: "But if you can find magic in a theater, then you can find curses as well." [01:22]
• Theater Historian: "Olive is a welcome presence at the New Amsterdam Theatre." [18:19]

Transcript

[Aaron Manke]

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[Thora]

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[Aaron Manke]

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[Thora]

There'S nothing like it in the world.

[Theater Historian]

It's one of the only places where magic is still possible. I'm talking, of course, about the theater.

[Aaron Manke]

And I'm not referencing your local movie palace.

[Theater Historian]

I mean real theater.

[Aaron Manke]

Live on stage. There's just something palpable in the air, a magnetic kind of energy that's impossible.

[Thora]

To find anywhere else.

[Aaron Manke]

It's simply magic.

[Thora]

But if you can find magic in a theater, then you can find curses as well.

[Theater Historian]

And nothing is more cursed than the Scottish play itself. Macbeth Superstition claims that saying the word Macbeth in a theater will result in disaster. According to urban legend, the curse was.

[Thora]

Laid by a coven of witches who.

[Theater Historian]

Were furious at Shakespeare for using a.

[Thora]

Real spell in his script.

[Theater Historian]

More practical minds have suggested that the.

[Thora]

Curse can simply be chalked up to coincidence.

[Theater Historian]

Theaters who are in financial trouble will often put on popular shows like Shakespeare's.

[Thora]

Macbeth to draw in a crowd.

[Theater Historian]

But when that isn't enough to save them from ruin, at least they now have a convenient scapegoat. But there have been actual examples of.

[Thora]

The curse throughout history. In 1947, for example, an actor playing.

[Theater Historian]

The legendary character himself died after being.

[Thora]

Wounded during a sword fight on stage.

[Theater Historian]

In 1964, a Portuguese theater burned to the ground while it was playing Macbeth. In 1980, a production company folded shortly after showing, you guessed it, Macbeth. So, yeah, the theater is pure magic. But sometimes even the most magical places.

[Thora]

On earth can be hit by bad luck.

[Theater Historian]

And when bad luck comes to Broadway.

[Thora]

The ghosts come out to play. I'm Aaron Manke, and this is Lore Legend. Ask any performer, theater or otherwise, what.

[Theater Historian]

Their dream job might be, and the.

[Thora]

Answer is always the same. There is no bigger stage than Broadway.

[Theater Historian]

Of course, Broadway isn't a single stage. It's an amalgamation of dozens of theaters in New York City, all of which.

[Thora]

Put on some of the most incredible productions you will ever see. And if you can get yourself onto.

[Theater Historian]

One of these stages, then that means.

[Thora]

That you're one of the best performers in the world.

[Theater Historian]

A lot of talented people have danced.

[Thora]

Under those bright lights, and a lot of people will do so for years to come. But some of them get caught in the middle. They stay on stage forever. And on the corner of 47th and.

[Theater Historian]

Broadway is an entire building full of.

[Thora]

Performers whose curtain calls never came. The palace theater opened in 1913 as a vaudeville theater.

[Theater Historian]

Its beautiful neoclassical design attracted a lot.

[Thora]

Of interest, and in no time it was pulling in some of the biggest names in entertainment.

[Theater Historian]

Think Will Rogers, the Marx Brothers, Bing Crosby, Mae West, Bob Hope, Fred Astaire.

[Thora]

They all performed at the Palace.

[Theater Historian]

With headliners like that, the Palace Theater.

[Thora]

Gained a certain reputation. If you could make it to that stage, then you were a somebody in the show business. And so performers around the country clamored to get a spot on the Playbill, many even going so far as to ply their act on the sidewalk in front of the theater. But nothing gold can stay.

[Theater Historian]

And the Great Depression did a fantastic.

[Thora]

Job of tarnishing all that gold.

[Theater Historian]

Suddenly, down on its luck, the Palace Theater was forced to convert into a.

[Thora]

Movie theater, only hosting the occasional live performances. It was reborn as a Broadway theater.

[Theater Historian]

In the 1960s, and it's been operating.

[Thora]

As one ever since.

[Theater Historian]

You can still attend a show at.

[Thora]

The Palace Theater today, but be warned.

[Theater Historian]

That you might see more than a.

[Thora]

Musical within those walls. The palace, you see, is full of ghosts. Rumor has it that there are over 100 ghosts wandering in the wings.

[Theater Historian]

If you want a specific number. One visiting psychic revealed that she sensed exactly 103 souls. One of the Palace's many ghosts is a cellist in a white gown who.

[Thora]

Has been seen playing in the orchestra pit and sometimes even disappearing from it. Another is a young boy who plays with toy trucks behind the mezzanine.

[Olive Thomas]

And.

[Thora]

And yet another is a man in.

[Theater Historian]

A brown suit who is often seen.

[Thora]

Striding through the walls.

[Theater Historian]

There are so many more, and most.

[Thora]

Of their identities have been lost to time.

[Theater Historian]

But we definitely know the name of.

[Thora]

At least one man. And luckily, he's one of the most active ghosts in the entire theater. His name was Louis Bosellina, and he was an acrobat. Louis was a member of a troupe.

[Theater Historian]

Called the Forecasting Pearls. Their acts involved very daring leaps from very high places, something that would make any normal person soil their PA Dance.

[Thora]

But not Louis. He had been flinging himself into the air for years. He was a professional, after all. But even professionals slip up every now and then.

[Theater Historian]

On August 27th of 1935, the four casting pearls were performing at the palace when tragedy struck. During a double somersault, Louis reached out to grasp his co worker's hand and.

[Thora]

Missed in front of 800 horrified audience members.

[Theater Historian]

He fell 18ft, hitting the stage with a sickening crash.

[Thora]

He was rushed to the hospital where.

[Theater Historian]

It was discovered that he had a.

[Thora]

Fractured pelvis along with a myriad of other internal injuries.

[Theater Historian]

The doctors worked hard to save his.

[Thora]

Life and thankfully, Louis survived.

[Theater Historian]

In fact, he continued to perform with the forecasting Pearls and he went on to live for almost 30 more years. And still, even though he didn't die.

[Thora]

Back in 1935, it must have been a terrifying fall. One might even say that it was heart stopping. So maybe that's why his ghost still hangs out in the Palace Theater today.

[Theater Historian]

Stagehands say that they frequently see a man in an old fashioned white acrobat.

[Thora]

Costume spinning around on the dress circle.

[Theater Historian]

Some have even said that they've seen him flipping through the air before screaming.

[Thora]

And plummeting to the ground.

[Theater Historian]

I think it's fair to say that I doubt Louis ghost appreciates being forced.

[Thora]

To relive the most traumatic moment of his life over and over.

[Theater Historian]

Hopefully, when he's not at the Palace Theater, his spirit is contemplating much happier memories. It's nice to believe that out of.

[Thora]

103 ghosts, there are at least a few that aren't stuck there permanently.

[Theater Historian]

Maybe Louis is one of those few. And if they're all trapped, then at.

[Thora]

Least they have plenty of ghostly company to keep them all entertained. No one in New York spends more time at their job than theater people. Even in a city full of the.

[Theater Historian]

Hardest workers in the world, you would.

[Thora]

Be hard pressed to find anyone who puts in more hours.

[Theater Historian]

Not lawyers, not engineers, and not even.

[Thora]

Dare I say, Wall Street Financial Bros. Theater professionals live and breathe their art.

[Theater Historian]

The stage calls to them and they answer.

[Thora]

And that doesn't only apply to the performers.

[Theater Historian]

The directors, producers, stagehands.

[Thora]

Everyone involved dedicates as much time as.

[Theater Historian]

Possible to making sure every production goes.

[Thora]

Off without a hitch. Now, with that said, you don't often hear about the owner of a theater hanging around so much. But there are exceptions to every rule. And David Belasco was certainly an exception.

[Theater Historian]

David was an actor, producer and playwright.

[Thora]

Who had gone down in history as the man who wrote Madame Butterfly. But no matter his accomplishments on the.

[Aaron Manke]

Stage, it's clear that his true pride.

[Thora]

And joy was his theater. He built the belasco Theater in 1907. Now, originally it was called the Stuyvesant Theater, but he changed it to match his surname just a few years later. In 1910.

[Theater Historian]

The playwright ensured that his new theater.

[Aaron Manke]

Was outfitted with the best of the best.

[Theater Historian]

He put his money towards getting a top of the line hydraulic system, an elevator stage and a special effects studio.

[Thora]

He even included a fully functioning restaurant.

[Theater Historian]

For the stage so that the actors could actually cook full meals during their performances. Belasco loved his theater so much that he actually lived in it, or that is, above it. Only two years after it opened its doors to the public. He had a duplex apartment built on the rooftop. So when he wanted to catch a show, all he had to do was walk downstairs.

[Thora]

And so he did.

[Theater Historian]

Often Belasco seemed to spend more time.

[Thora]

At the theater than any of the actors.

[Theater Historian]

Almost every night he could be seen shaking hands with the patrons and wandering the aisles. All while dressed in his custom made black suits and white priest style collars. His unique style, along with his borderline religious fervor for his theater resulted in a special nickname. He came to be called the Bishop of Belasco.

[Thora]

And he wore that name proudly until.

[Theater Historian]

1931 when he finally passed away. And with his passing, the Belasco Theater lost its biggest fan. But his death didn't mean that everything.

[Thora]

Ground to a halt.

[Theater Historian]

This was entertainment after all. And the number one rule is always that the show must go on. To this day, the Belasco is a functioning theater. Over the years, it has played host to some of the biggest names on Broadway and in Hollywood. Antoinette Perry, Humphrey Bogart, Eddie Falco and.

[Thora]

Ralph Fiennes have all performed there.

[Theater Historian]

And in 1975, the Rocky Horror Picture show made its Broadway debut at the Belasco. The theater has had a great run, obviously. I think that if he were alive today, David Belasco would be proud.

[Thora]

And I can say that with the utmost confidence.

[Theater Historian]

Because his ghost seems to have really enjoyed spending his time there in the afterlife. That's right.

[Thora]

The Bishop of Velasco didn't abandon his.

[Theater Historian]

Beloved theater even in death. In the 1930s, actors started spotting a man in a priest like suit sitting up in the balcony watching them as they rehearsed. As the years went by, some reported that Belasco approached them to congratulate them on their performances, Even shaking their hands.

[Thora]

With his signature tight grip.

[Theater Historian]

Other, less fortunate actors have been known.

[Thora]

To file complaints about a man dressed.

[Theater Historian]

Like a priest pinching their backsides. I think we can hazard A guess.

[Thora]

As to what Belasco thought of those performances.

[Theater Historian]

He's made mischief in other ways, too. If a show doesn't go so well, then actors would often return backstage only to find their dressing rooms ransacked, as.

[Thora]

Though someone had come in and thrown all their belongings around in a rage.

[Theater Historian]

At other times, people have reported hearing.

[Thora]

Raucous music and loud voices from his old apartment upstairs.

[Theater Historian]

But when they go to investigate, the.

[Thora]

Rooms are always empty.

[Theater Historian]

Tons of little oddities of the Belasco have been attributed to this ghost. Sometimes people have randomly smelled cigar smoke. Other times they've heard disembodied footsteps or broken elevators suddenly shooting up to his abandoned apartment. Sightings of David Belasco have become more scarce since the theater was renovated in 2010. It's possible that after the alterations were made, he just didn't want to spend.

[Thora]

As much time there.

[Theater Historian]

But that doesn't change the fact that for decades after his death, the Belasco Theater was just as much a home.

[Thora]

To his spirit as it had been in life. She was the most beautiful girl in New York City.

[Theater Historian]

At least that's what the newspaper said.

[Thora]

About Olive in 1914, after she won a beauty competition.

[Theater Historian]

And of course, someone else took the.

[Thora]

Crown the following year.

[Theater Historian]

But for 12 months, 20 year old.

[Thora]

Olive Thomas was the shining jewel of Manhattan.

[Theater Historian]

It would have been easy for her to peek right then and there to.

[Thora]

Let her beauty be her only legacy. But Olive was nothing if not driven. She wanted to make an even bigger name for herself.

[Theater Historian]

And so just a year later, she had taken up the mantle of performing.

[Thora]

As a Ziegfeld girl at New Amsterdam Theatre.

[Theater Historian]

Now, the Ziegfeld Girls were a pretty big deal.

[Thora]

They were the female cast of the.

[Theater Historian]

Ziegfeld Follies, a series of lavish theatrical reviews. The Ziegfeld Follies were a glittering spectacle, and a lot of that glitter came.

[Thora]

From the women on the stage, both literally and figuratively.

[Theater Historian]

These chorus girls sang, danced, acted, and.

[Thora]

Even did some comedy bits, all while dressed in the most elaborate outfits you could ever imagine. And of course, they were all stunning.

[Theater Historian]

And their pictures were circulated all across the country. Olive Thomas, of course, thrived as a Ziegfeld girl.

[Thora]

How could she not?

[Theater Historian]

She was gorgeous and charismatic. Her stage presence was electric.

[Thora]

No one could visit the New Amsterdam Theater without finding their eyes glued to Olive. She was, in a word, magnetic.

[Theater Historian]

Olive's charm and beauty opened a lot.

[Thora]

Of doors for her.

[Theater Historian]

While she was still with the Ziegfeld.

[Thora]

Girls, she modeled on the side. And then she got involved in the.

[Theater Historian]

Silent film business, starring in Grainy black and white movies that promised to be.

[Thora]

The future of entertainment.

[Theater Historian]

In 1920, after five years of lighting up the stage and the camera, she.

[Thora]

Took a vacation to Paris with her husband, Jack Pickford.

[Theater Historian]

The trip was meant to be a.

[Thora]

Second honeymoon, a time for the two.

[Theater Historian]

Lovebirds to step away from their busy careers and focus on each other.

[Thora]

But that wasn't the reality of the situation.

[Theater Historian]

In truth, even though Olive and Jack had only been married for a few.

[Thora]

Years, their relationship was already on the rocks when they had met in 1916, and Olive had been a party girl, completely taken by the glitz and glam of showbiz. She and her husband had fallen in love while indulging in that party lifestyle together.

[Theater Historian]

Later, her sister in law, silent film actress Mary Pickford, wrote, she and Jack.

[Thora]

Were madly in love with one another.

[Theater Historian]

But I always thought of them as.

[Thora]

A couple of children playing together. After marrying, they continued to party, But.

[Theater Historian]

Olive started to become more serious about.

[Thora]

Her acting career, and Jack went in the other direction.

[Theater Historian]

He gradually slid into alcoholism, and he.

[Thora]

Had a wandering eye that frequently landed.

[Theater Historian]

On pretty women, women who were not his wife.

[Thora]

As a result, right before they left.

[Theater Historian]

For France, Olive discovered that she had.

[Thora]

Contracted syphilis from her husband.

[Theater Historian]

So, yeah, the Paris trip was an attempt to patch things up, but it's.

[Thora]

Kind of hard to heal from a wound like that.

[Theater Historian]

Even so, Olive did try. She tried until she just couldn't try anymore. On September 5th of 1920, Olive and Jack stayed out late, not returning to.

[Thora]

Their hotel room at the Ritz until three in the morning. Jack immediately went to bed, but Olive.

[Theater Historian]

Continued to piddle around, writing a letter.

[Thora]

To her mother and then retiring to the bathroom.

[Theater Historian]

Sometime later, Jack awoke to Olive shouting.

[Thora]

My God, what have you done? Jumping out of bed, he ran to.

[Theater Historian]

The bathroom, only to see an empty.

[Thora]

Blue bottle next to her. Olive had swallowed an entire container of medicine.

[Theater Historian]

Historians suspect that the topical medication had been meant for Jack's syphilis. Some have suggested that because the bottle's.

[Thora]

Label had been written in French, Olive.

[Theater Historian]

Made a terrible accident, thinking that the.

[Thora]

Liquid inside was something else. Others wonder if Olive had downed the entire bottle intentionally. Her personal life was hanging by a thread, and her husband's womanizing, along with.

[Theater Historian]

The ensuing disease, just might have been.

[Thora]

Devastating enough to push her over the edge of the. No one can say for sure.

[Theater Historian]

No one, of course, except for Olive. But we won't be hearing from her anytime soon, because on September 10th of 1920, Olive passed away after five days.

[Thora]

Of fighting for her life in A Parisian hospital.

[Theater Historian]

Word of her death traveled relatively quickly.

[Thora]

But not that quickly.

[Theater Historian]

It was 1920 and cross continental communications.

[Thora]

Didn'T move with the speed they do today.

[Theater Historian]

And so when a few stagehands at.

[Thora]

The New Amsterdam Theater saw Olive backstage, they thought that everything was business as usual. She was just running around in her.

[Theater Historian]

Ziegfeld girl costume, smiling and winking at everyone.

[Thora]

It wasn't until they mentioned it to.

[Theater Historian]

Their colleagues later that they found out.

[Thora]

That Olive was already dead.

[Theater Historian]

And whatever they had seen at the.

[Thora]

Theater, well, that couldn't have been Olive.

[Theater Historian]

Soon enough, though, it became evident that.

[Thora]

It was, to some degree at least, it seems that her spirit had decided to haunt the theater. And soon enough, seeing her was an almost normal occurrence.

[Theater Historian]

In 1952, for example, a handyman reported seeing Olive twice.

[Thora]

Both times she was wearing her beaded.

[Theater Historian]

Green Ziegfeld girl dress and carrying a large blue bottle. Decades later, in 1993, a security guard saw her on stage at 2:30 in.

[Thora]

The morning, once again wearing her green dress and carrying a blue bottle.

[Theater Historian]

When he told her that she needed to leave, she obeyed his orders by.

[Thora]

Blowing him a kiss and then walking through a wall.

[Theater Historian]

The security guard, by the way, called his boss and quit that very same night.

[Thora]

It should be noted that Olive has mostly appeared to men, and she normally flirts with them for a bit before disappearing.

[Theater Historian]

At one point, she was scaring so many of the nighttime security guards into.

[Thora]

Quitting that the theater had to switch over to exclusively hiring female guards For a while.

[Theater Historian]

She is seen as a friendly, benevolent spirit. She is playful with the staff and.

[Thora]

Doesn'T do much aside from a wink and blowing her kisses.

[Theater Historian]

Sometimes, though, her ghost presents a much sadder image. Over the years, some people have reported.

[Thora]

Seeing a crying woman wandering around the.

[Theater Historian]

Theater wearing a white dress with silver.

[Thora]

Trim, the very same dress that Olive was buried in.

[Theater Historian]

For the most part, though, Olive is.

[Thora]

A welcome presence at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

[Theater Historian]

And at this point, so many people.

[Thora]

Have seen her that one playbill writer.

[Theater Historian]

Referred to her as by far the.

[Thora]

Most active ghost on Broadway. Many historians believe that she was deeply unhappy by the end of her life.

[Theater Historian]

If true, it makes sense that her.

[Thora]

Ghost sought out the theater, a place.

[Theater Historian]

Where she could feel most at home, mingle with her peers and put on a show.

[Thora]

It's fair to say that the theater has always been a place of drama, egos, entertainment and over the top exaggeration.

[Theater Historian]

For anyone with a hunger to perform.

[Thora]

They were the moth and it was the blazing flame. So it's no wonder that it's also drawn in the darker side of life and death.

[Theater Historian]

Lots of buildings around the world claim.

[Thora]

To be haunted, and many people have described seeing strange and unusual things.

[Theater Historian]

But in a theater, well, it seems we're guaranteed to get a show regardless.

[Thora]

Of which side of the veil it comes from.

[Theater Historian]

Speaking of, remember how I said that.

[Thora]

Olive always appears to men but never women? Well, there is an exception to that rule.

[Theater Historian]

At the time I'm recording this episode, the New Amsterdam Theatre is hosting the.

[Thora]

Broadway version of Aladdin.

[Theater Historian]

It's a popular show with an incredibly talented cast, but I can say from.

[Thora]

Experience that it doesn't matter how talented you really are. Anyone can get nervous.

[Theater Historian]

And that's exactly what happened during a.

[Thora]

Preview run for the show. The orchestra conductor was unable to be.

[Theater Historian]

There that night, so a substitute had to step in.

[Thora]

And this particular maestro was a woman. She had a glowing resume, too.

[Theater Historian]

In fact, she had worked at the.

[Thora]

New Amsterdam Theatre before on a production of Mary Poppins.

[Theater Historian]

Needless to say, she was very familiar with Olive's story in life and in death. Before going on stage that night, she.

[Thora]

Stopped for a private moment in her dressing room.

[Theater Historian]

Taking a deep breath, she said out loud, well, Olive, I'm back again.

[Thora]

I'm a little nervous.

[Theater Historian]

I just wanted to introduce myself again and ask you if you could please give me some good luck.

[Thora]

Then she went on to wonder out loud, I wonder what the Follies girls would have thought of a female conductor. As soon as the words left her mouth, the light bulbs around her dressing room mirror flickered for a few seconds. Brand new light bulbs that had just.

[Theater Historian]

Been put in for opening night. It was a message from Olive. And it was clear later. This conductor said, it was like a wink. She was signaling that she was fine with the idea. And yeah, she probably was. After all, a Ziegfeld girl has got.

[Thora]

To support her fellow women. That's just what a great performer would do.

[Theater Historian]

And Olive Thomas, she was one of.

[Thora]

The greatest of all. As the curtains come to a close.

[Theater Historian]

I hope you enjoyed your tour of.

[Thora]

The Broadway stage today. Everyone knows there's something entertaining to see inside each one of these theatrical gems.

[Theater Historian]

But now you know there's even more.

[Thora]

Hiding away in the shadows.

[Theater Historian]

But New York isn't the only place.

[Thora]

With haunted theaters just across the pond. London's West End has its fair share of spooks, and some of them will steal your breath away. Stick around through this brief sponsor break to hear all about it.

[Aaron Manke]

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[Thora]

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[Theater Historian]

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[Theater Historian]

Plus, the savings are just too good.

[Aaron Manke]

To pass up this year. Skip breaking a sweat and breaking the bank. Get this new customer offer and your three month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com lore that's mintmobile.com lore upfront payment of $45 required, equivalent to $15 per month limited time new customer offer for first three months only. Speeds may above 35 gigabytes on unlimited plan. Taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details. This episode was also made possible by Chime. Fees are everywhere and they hurt the most when you're down. That's why Chime offers fee free banking, which means no monthly fees, no overdraft fees and no minimum balance fees. Sign up [e-mail] lore chime is banking done right. You can open a checking account with no monthly fees or maintenance fees and with qualifying direct deposits. You're even eligible for free overdraft up to $200 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals. Which adds a ton of peace of Personally, I love the lack of fees. Fees get in the way of saving up. Never mind the fact that banking should never cost you money. With Chime, there are no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimum balance requirements. Open your account in two [e-mail] lore that's chime.com lore Chime feels like progress.

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[Aaron Manke]

This episode was also made possible by Squarespace. Squarespace is the all in one website platform that's designed to help you stand.

[Thora]

Out and succeed online.

[Aaron Manke]

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[Theater Historian]

Squarespace has cutting edge tools that are.

[Aaron Manke]

Meant to give you the boost you need to craft a beautiful site around you and your brand. Their library of professionally designed, award winning website templates lets you use drag and drop editing, beautiful styling options and unrivaled visual design effects with no web experience required. And Squarespace can use basic information about your industry, your your goals, your personality to generate personalized design recommendations. Plus, their Squarespace email campaigns option has all the tools you need to engage clients, promote your services and grow your business.

[Theater Historian]

Get started today.

[Aaron Manke]

Head over to squarespace.com lore for a free trial and when you're ready to launch, use the offer code lore to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Squarespace Build something beautiful and finally, this episode was made possible by SimpliSafe. What does feeling safe at home really mean to you? For a long time I thought it.

[Theater Historian]

Was enough to have good locks and.

[Aaron Manke]

Maybe maybe an alarm that would make a lot of noise if someone actually broke in.

[Theater Historian]

But after people close to me were.

[Aaron Manke]

Broken into, I've realized that true security takes more a system that works to prevent that break in, that violation of your space from ever happening in the first place. That's why I trust SimpliSafe to protect my home and family. It's about security that's proactive, not just reactive. Personally, I love the way SimpliSafe uses technology to empower me to stay connected to my property. It gives me the confidence that everything.

[Thora]

Is taken care of and safe.

[Aaron Manke]

Most security systems only take action after someone breaks in.

[Theater Historian]

That's too late. Simplisafe's new Active Guard Outdoor Protection helps.

[Aaron Manke]

Stop break ins before they happen. Their AI powered cameras and live monitoring agents detect suspicious activity around your property. If someone's lurking, agents can talk to them in real time, turn on spotlights and call the police, proactively deterring crime before it starts. Monitoring plans start at around a dollar per day and come with a 60 day money back guarantee with no contracts or hidden fees. And Simplisafe was named Home security system of 2025 by CNET. Maybe that's why over 4 million Americans trust SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com lore to claim 50% off a new system with a professional monitoring plan and get your first month free. That's simplisafe.com lore there's no safe like Simplisafe.

[Thora]

Thora felt wrong. She was doing her best to power through her performance. After all, she was the star of the show and she couldn't let the audience down.

[Theater Historian]

But that didn't change the fact that.

[Thora]

She was struggling to breathe as the night wore on. Her jacket felt tighter and tighter. No matter how often she stretched out her arms and pulled at the collar, the sensation didn't go away. If she didn't know any better, she.

[Theater Historian]

Would say that her jacket was trying to strangle her, but of course that was absolutely ridiculous.

[Thora]

This was just a little black jacket, albeit an antique one from the 19th century.

[Theater Historian]

The Trafalgar Square Theater's current headlining show.

[Thora]

Was a story set in the Victorian era, and so the black bolero had been found in a second hand shop.

[Theater Historian]

During the costumer's quest to amass a.

[Thora]

Collection of period accurate petticoats, corsets and stockings.

[Theater Historian]

It might not have been made for.

[Thora]

Thora, but that jacket had fit her as though it had been sculpted for her body alone. And every day when she put it on, it felt perfect. But by the end of every performance, she was gasping for air.

[Theater Historian]

Even so, she was a professional and the show, as we have already said, must go on. So Thora ignored the pain and painted.

[Thora]

A smile on her face.

[Theater Historian]

One evening though, she called out sick.

[Thora]

So her understudy, Erica had to take her place. She slipped into Thora's role and into her costume. And then she felt it. The jacket had begun to squeeze her. Unlike Thora heard, Erica Foyle did not.

[Theater Historian]

Stay silent about the little black jacket's strangling grip.

[Thora]

She told the theater company about how it slowly tightened its grip over her body and about the strange vision she had while wearing it.

[Theater Historian]

It was gone in a flash, but.

[Thora]

For one brief moment, Erica had seen another woman in the jacket.

[Theater Historian]

To test out Erica's claim, the stage.

[Thora]

Manager tried on the jacket herself. And the same thing happened. She said that she felt like she was being strangled. And then the director's wife tried it on.

[Theater Historian]

She claimed that she didn't feel anything. But when she took it off, her.

[Thora]

Neck was ringed with harsh red marks.

[Theater Historian]

As though someone had tried to squeeze.

[Thora]

The life out of her.

[Theater Historian]

Intrigued, the theater company decided to get.

[Thora]

To the bottom of the mystery. So they hired a few mediums to come by.

[Theater Historian]

They didn't tell them anything about the jacket. They just waited to see what the clairvoyants would say. One woman gave them their answer.

[Thora]

She claimed that the jacket was haunted by a young woman named Edith Merriweather, who had been wearing it when she was strangled to death by her lover, a man named Derek.

[Theater Historian]

The medium said that she had a vision of Derek attacking Edith, wrapping his.

[Thora]

Hands around her throat and forcing her head into a bucket of water until she died. Apparently, Edith had been trying to tell.

[Theater Historian]

Her story to the jacket wearers for decades now.

[Thora]

And finally, in 1949, the performers at the Trafalgar Square Theater were getting her message. Later that night, several other cast members also tried on the jacket. They all felt it strangling them, and one person even fainted as a result.

[Theater Historian]

But any good theater kid knows that theater people can be dramatic. So none of them really trusted each.

[Thora]

Other to have an honest, non dramatized reaction.

[Theater Historian]

With that in mind, they pulled in.

[Thora]

A random couple off the street, asking them to take part in a small.

[Theater Historian]

Experiment by trying on the jacket. When the woman put it on, she said that she didn't feel anything. But when her partner touched the sleeve.

[Thora]

A strange expression crossed his face.

[Theater Historian]

He said that he suddenly had the.

[Aaron Manke]

Urge to squeeze her.

[Thora]

Slowly, he moved his grip up her arm and then tore his hand away.

[Theater Historian]

As it moved closer to her neck. When it was his turn to put on the jackets, he immediately had trouble breathing. Through labored breaths, he said, there is something sinister like death.

[Thora]

It feels as if someone were trying to kill me.

[Theater Historian]

But in a just way.

[Thora]

That was the evidence the theater employees wanted.

[Theater Historian]

The jacket was definitely haunted. The entire experience was unsettled enough that.

[Thora]

No one wanted to keep it around anymore. So they sent the jacket to Hollywood, where a few actors and actresses tried.

[Theater Historian]

It on all of whom reported feeling.

[Thora]

As though their throats were being squeezed while they wore it.

[Theater Historian]

The last trace of the jacket in contemporary newspapers comes From August of 1949, when it was claimed that further tests were planned for the garment, and I quote to have it worn atop Mount Whitney to see if the clutching hands are still trapped in the jacket, followed by a trip to Death Valley to see if the spirit still lingers at.

[Thora]

A below sea level altitude. No one has heard of the jacket's whereabouts ever since, and honestly, that's something that I'm totally okay with.

[Theater Historian]

This episode of Lore Legends was produced by me, Aaron Manke, with writing by Alex Robinson and research by Cassandra d'. Alba don't like hearing the ads? I've got a solution for you.

[Thora]

There is a paid version of Lore on Apple Podcasts and patreon that is 100% ad free.

[Theater Historian]

Plus subscribers there also get weekly mini.

[Thora]

Bonus episodes that we call Lore Bytes.

[Theater Historian]

It's a bargain for all of that ad free storytelling and a great way.

[Thora]

To support this show and the team behind it. For more information about those ad free.

[Theater Historian]

Options, go over to lorepodcast.com support lore.

[Thora]

Is also much more than just a podcast.

[Theater Historian]

There's the World of Lore, three book.

[Thora]

Series available in bookstores and online, and two seasons of the television show on Amazon Prime. Information about all of that is available.

[Theater Historian]

[e-mail] and of course you can also follow this show on social media threads, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube. Just search for Lore podcast all one word and click that follow button. And when you do, say hi.

[Thora]

I like it when people say hi. And as always, thanks for listening.

[Beautiful Anonymous Host]

If you want to feel more connected to humanity and a little less alone, listen to Beautiful Anonymous. Each week I take a phone call from one random anonymous human being. There's over 400 episodes in our back catalog. You get to feel connected to all these different people all over the world. Recent episodes include one where a lady survived a murder attempt by her own son. But then the week before that we just talked about Star Trek. It can be anything. It's unpredictable, it's raw, it's real. Get Beautiful Anonymous Wherever you listen to podcasts.