The Tron Theatre
Trongate, one of eight principle streets in Glasgow, was known in 1529 as St Tennoch’s Gate. It was the entrance to St Tennoch’s Chapel which was situated roughly where St Enoch’s Square now stands. The first church on the site, now known as the Tron Theatre, was originally the Church of St Mary and St Anne, built in 1529 at a time when Catholicism was the national religion. These were turbulent times and in 1560 parliament in Edinburgh outlawed Catholicism and the church fell into disuse and disrepair. It was around this time that that the name of Trongate first appears.
Following a fire started by the well-known, Hell Fire Club in 1793, an act of parliament made possible the building of another church on the same site. Designed by brothers James and Robert Adam, the new church (incorporating the original steeple which was left free standing) was opened in 1795. It is this church that is the basis of the present Tron Theatre, Bar and Restaurant. In 1946, the church stopped being a place of worship altogether.
In February 1978, an article appeared in the diary section of the Daily Herald under the headline of “Traversing for the Traverse”. The upshot of the piece was that due to the burning down of the Close Theatre, a studio theatre based at the Citizens’ Theatre in the Gorbals, there was a lack of a theatre in Glasgow for presenting the work of local artists. Anyone who shared this view was invited to a meeting. Around 100 people responded to the invitation. All agreed that something must be done. There was so much enthusiasm that some offered to give money towards the setting up of a theatre. In April 1978, just two months later, the Glasgow Theatre Club was officially formed. Membership was set at £6 and the numbers started to grow. With a committee and chairman in place, the first job was to find a home for the club. It was finally agreed that they should take up a favourable lease of £1 a year on the Tron Kirk. At the beginning of 1980 the Glasgow Theatre Club took over the whole building. The aim of the club was “to provide opportunities for local writers and actors, to widen the choice for theatre-goers, and to make the Tron the most accessible and welcoming venue in Glasgow”. A year and a half later, in November 1982, marked the opening of the main auditorium.
In 1996, £5 million was awarded for the refurbishment and improvement of the entire building. The re-development project was funded by the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund, Strathclyde European Partnership and Glasgow City Council. One year later, the Tron once more became a building site. Performances continued in the Victorian Bar and, after December 1997, occasionally in the re-opened box office. The new Tron Bar on Chisholm Street opened in November 1998 and work continued in the Victorian Bar, the heart of the building for so many years. Finally, in July 1999, building works were nearing completion and the Tron officially re-opened.
Associated Paranormal Activity
On discussion with a few members of staff, the main areas of activity seemed to be focused on the Boiler Room where Paddy has on many occasions seen two small children in the early hours of the morning. He is also aware of a presence behind the door of the corridor leading to the Boiler Room. Jim has also experienced what he believes to be activity, in the Box Office. One night while working late, he had a very strong feeling of being watched. Then, he felt an ‘icy finger’ touch the back of his neck. There is also a story about the crypt being walled up during renovations due to ‘something’ scary. No one is sure exactly where this located.
Pre-Theatre Dream
Prior to our visit to the Tron, 1 of the team’s mediums had been having recurring dreams that they believed were about the theatre, they informed the majority of team and some of their friends about the dreams. This is the details in their own words: -
Right ok, here’s my dreams, I will also draw the rooms as I keep getting them in my dream, so if this makes no sense then I can show you.
Ok, the first is in what looks like a very old dark wood room, dark wood panels on the walls and dark wood table and chair’s. As I sit facing a window there is what looks like a fireplace to my left and on the right is a few tables and a bench style seat going along the wall. Behind me I am not really sure what it is, but could be the bar, the door in which we came into the room is in the corner in front of me on the right and there is another door behind and to the left, not sure where it leads.
Anyways in this room/bar there is a very strong feeling of being watched and what was happening to people was the feeling of being grabbed by a shadow, which leaves a hand print bruise where even it makes contact. Every time I have had this dream, we have walked in and looked at the pictures on the fireplace wall and in the first dream only one person got the bruise, then in the second time, 2 people got, the third was 3 and the fourth was 4, not had a 5th yet, lol, still time!
Now every time I have this dream I also have this one. This is where there is a strong connection with a black shadow, it starts with me walking in a door and into a big reception type room, in front of me is a big set of stairs, which start really wide at the bottom and get closer as they rise. At the top there is two really big pillars and a hall way which runs off to the right and left, just as the hall way leads to the door ways which take it out of my sight there are again big pillars, the whole area is decked in what am sure is a red carpet and again old style wood, dark wood, I think there is a cash desk type thing on my right as I stand and stare up the stairs and to the hall where, my first sight of someone who looks like an usher, the wee guys that show you to your seat and stuff, lol. Anyways the lady usher stands to the right of the stairs a couple of feet from the top pillar, she pays no attention to me or us standing there, she only stares straight in front of her which is in fact into the hall way leading to the right when you get to the stairs. Now as I look from her and over to see what she is looking at, I become aware of the being watched feeling again, as I stare at the hall on the right a black shadow, figure shaped, appears in the door way, its does rule that hall way and after having that dream again last night I was aware that everything in this building fears the darkness and last night I was aware of kids close to us, it was like they were going to stay with us cause they hate having to run from this hallway and the darkness/shadow. I have had this dream 5 times now. I have to say that if I have any of that correct and if this hall way is there, the shadow will be active it could definitely be the place where it happens.
SPI’s Investigation Report
Medium Report
Box office – We made our way back down to the ticket office, which was the team meeting point for the night. Once down there, I over heard chat between a team member and a member of staff from the Tron about an under ground crypt within the area of where we were based.
Not wanting to know anymore, I asked if I could go to it. The hatch was in the floor at the back of what just looked like a cupboard, quit cool I thought! After making my way down the ladder and into an open space like a basement, I felt a strong pull on my right hand side and was drawn straight to the wall on the right of the basement. I had to ask the question, is this really the crypt, as something was not quite right about it. I was met with the question, why? what do you mean? . As I stood next to the wall, which I have to say was not the newest looking of walls, I picked up that the wall had been put there for a reason.
Stairwell (left if facing theatre from the box office)
We walked towards the doors at the end of this room, which lead to a stairwell heading up to the main theatre, as another team member walked on through the door I was looking at my feet, they held the door and I walked through. At that point as I lifted my head and turned to talk to them, who I was sure had just went past me and started to walk up the steps, I saw nothing.
They were still holding the door and was just about to walk towards me. I know something or someone walked past us that night and headed up the stairs.
I got a strange feeling of a little girl. I asked the other team member if anybody else had came in with us, and they confirmed it was just the 2 of us.
Auditorium
After this we made our way up the stairs and into the main theatre hall, on first sight I thought it was very smart and just a fine size. We were walking in and along the top 2 or 3 rows, and as I walked along the second to top row, one of the maddest things ever to happen to me, happened. It was so strange, but the urge to skip and run backwards and forwards along this row like I was playing, as a child with my friends was so strong. I just had to do it and I told everybody at the same time, I think everybody thought I had lost it, but it was one strong feeling and as fast as it came, it went but only after about 5mins.
Boiler Room & Corridor
After our sitting I was told that I had to go with Andy and Sandy to a room along with the Tron staff members. I wasn’t sure about this, as they all seemed to know something that I didn’t. Now, if I was to stand on the stage in the main hall, the room they took me to is up in line with the top room of the seats and on the left hand side, it was a long room, with some heating things, electrics and storage of other items. From the moment we were in there and towards the other end there was a smaller room, with lots of lighting switches and stuff. I was drawn to there first, however the feeling of being watched was very strong, but not in a bad way, I just felt like somebody else could see us. I was asked to sit in this room part on my own with the lights out and a camera sat at the door which would record anything I picked up on, or anything that happened. I was chicken and got Andy to sit, just inside the door way as I felt safe with him just inside the room. For a while I got nothing and then came a feeling of something over my left shoulder. I turned a few time to see nothing and after that, it happened, something I will never forget and can’t explain right now, LAUGHING from somebody other than the people who were within the area, what was made worse by the fact only I could hear it. Then came a voice, which told me lots of different things through out a 30min period.
I do remember being told that the wall to my right was fake and that it should be taken away again as it was a church gallery. I was also told that it was in the past a Kirk and was told the year in which it was a Kirk. I did however know it had once been a church, but the word Kirk was never said to me and it had been called two different names in its time. I also remember being told that one of the members of staff who was present with us at that point, had in fact been scared and seen something just close to where we were. The spirit with which I had some how got a connection with told me this while laughing and offered a sorry to be passed on. This was true, as heard on the tape, the member of staff says ” yes it was me last Wednesday when I came up to switch off the light”
Guest Medium Report – Box Office
I was standing facing the windows of the box office and doing some filming with my camcorder, when I suddenly realised that someone was watching me from one of the windows in the main theatre. The window was high on the left hand side (later discovered to be a window at the top of a set of stairs). To me it looked like a girl. A couple of seconds later, she was gone.
I don’t know if you’ve ever smelt leather soap as it’s being used on the likes of saddles, or the after effect when the saddles are cleaned with whatever they use. My sister has horses and I’m quite familiar that leathery smell…As I said it was just as I was coming out of the toilet, I was facing the mirror with my eyes closed and received this very, very strong smell of brand new leather thrust under my nose, it was as if I was in a saddlers .No names, no faces and no reason was given, I often find that an answer is given to me much later, other than on the actual time of the incident.
But as I walked toward the booking office’s section where the black tiles were on the wall. Just before those small stairs led down to the front entrance. And I closed my eyes, I saw an adult almost sure it was a male with two small children. One boy about 8-10 and a girl around 5 years old. I know that they were children because for some reason tend to hold my hand… This incident happen at 01:34 am
Now on the wall where I saw that shadow, as 1 of the team members were taking some photos I noticed that there were some small handprints. Just like a child’s, as when I placed my hands in the same area, I found that my hands were far too big.
Foyer Bar
When I walked into the bar area where the Salsa club had been held, I was drawn to the wall on the far left. About half way along the wall, I got the feeling that there was something else behind the wall as I got a very cold feeling. I feel that their may have been a doorway or entrance situated there at one time.
Communications circle
I must say that in the communications circle, I forgot to mention that I felt as if I was crying. So as this was my very first communications circle I really didn’t know what to expect. I just felt both of my guides were preventing anyone getting too close to me. Otherwise you would have heard rather than seen me go into a trance. Because believe me someone by the name of Robert Powell was trying his hardest to come through me, and I denied him that right. Now I know that there is an actor with the same name, and I knew a lad from school with that name but it wasn’t him. And the actor isn’t dead yet. I just didn’t want to scare anyone and had to tell Mr Powell to stand back… And as far as I can remember he wasn’t very happy….
Other Team Members Personal Experience’s
When we were in the boiler room, my hair was pulled twice while I was talking to a team member.
As 2 of the team were setting up a motion detector, they both felt someone was behind them in the corridor (which runs along the side of the auditorium). After a few minutes they both heard a loud bang coming from the foyer bar area. On investigation no one else was found to be there. They also checked to see if any equipment or furniture had fell, but they found nothing.
The team was standing in the Foyer Bar area having a look around, taking some photographs, etc. 1 of the staff called me over to the doors that led to the stairwell, as he wanted to talk about the fact that the guest medium was picking up something about the wall there. We walked through the doors to chat (so that the guest medium couldn’t hear us). As we were talking, I heard noises coming from the stair, as if someone was walking up or down them. The staff member Jim noticed that I was listening and we proceeded up the stairs to see who it was. No one was there.
When the team first entered the Victorian Bar, myself and a few other members were standing opposite the door to the kitchen area discussing the investigation. As we were chatting something on my left caught my eye. The best way I can describe it, is that it looked as if someone walked by the kitchen door (inside the kitchen). I saw a dark shadow move from left to right. When I turned away, I noticed another team member looking in the same direction and they confirmed that they saw the same thing. On investigation, no one was found to be in the kitchen.
Tests
- No unusual E.M.F (Electro Magnetic Field) or Temperature readings were picked up during our visit.
- No unusual readings were picked up on the Spectrum Analyser.
Communications Circle
Information picked up during the communications circle included:
- Thomas
- Margaret or Maggie
- Related to each other
- Buried in the vicinity of the church
- Both were scared of a man in the theatre .
Conclusion
The investigation proved to be very interesting for all the investigators present. Six of the investigators present experienced some form of activity, which is unusual. We do feel that a further investigation should be carried out particularly with more investigators present to cover the areas that we did not manage to spend time in. We also feel that the Boiler Room & Corridor, Foyer Bar and the Stairwell all warrant further investigation.
We would also like to thank Jim, Fred & all the staff at the Tron Theatre who allowed us to spend time in such a wonderful place and for their hospitality during our investigation. We look forward to a return visit!
Return Visits Areas identified for Investigation:
West Stairwell, Crypt and Clock Tower, Kitchen and Victorian Bar, Boiler room and corridor, East Stairwell, Green Room, Auditorium and Backstage.
Pre-investigation Walkabout : Crypt and Clock Tower:
The Box Office – 8:45pm.
The group started with a brief overview of the site layout. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant. There were no other energies picked up by the group however a member of staff was aware of an odour similar to Tar.
Another staff member advised that when he works in the Box Office, he is uncomfortable sitting behind the counter and feels that there is someone above his head. He has previously heard the door handle being opened, in the office above the Box Office counter, when he has been the only person in the area.
Clock Tower -9:00pm.
The team climbed the wooden stairs to the refurbished 1st level which is a large open space, well lit by external light through large windows.
Each person proceeded to climb the wooden ladder up to the more constricted area containing the clock machinery. This upper level is darker and dustier due to the low level wooden platform above, wooden support posts and less natural light. Any feelings of uneasiness were attributed to these factors rather than any other unearthly energies.
Crypt – 9.20pm.
Moving downstairs into the Basement area our team member invited the guests to walk around the well lit room and to give off their impressions of the area. Both of them were drawn to the theatre facing wall with a feeling that something is behind that wall. On touching the wall with her eyes closed, she was aware of the colour Yellow but unable to validate why. This could have been influenced by some yellow markings on the wall.
The other guest advised that previously he had been down in the Crypt area and had he sensation of being pushed away from the theatre side wall
Note: It’s the opposite wall – Trongate side (breeze block), which is reported to have been constructed following the instruction of an Architect who had an unsettling experience in the basement.
On previous investigations both of our mediums have been drawn to the theatre side wall with the same feeling that there is something of significance behind this wall.
Changing House – 9.25pm. (Temp 23-24 degrees),
It is noted that passing trains can be heard in this room. While in this room there was a loud bang come from the area at the rear of the seats but no apparent reason within the room for it.
Green Room (23.5 – 26 degrees)
A guest is aware of sharp pains in his head. There was a strange smell in this room which some of the group described as being stale smoke whilst another described it as more like urine, this member began to feel sick due to the smell and the heat of the room.
Camera & Video: Base Station results
Auditorium Camera 3: 10 minutes into the start of the 1st session of Vigils, the monitor at the Base Station began to capture the remote camera locations. At about 50 seconds into recording, I noticed a rattling sound coming from the monitor, lasting for about 5 seconds, which I noted on the activity log.
About 4 minutes later, I heard a shuffling noise along with faint voices. I contacted the teams using the radios to check if there anyone was in that area or about to enter the area. 1 team member confirmed that their group were just about to pass through and at that point I watched them walk by on camera.
Just before one of the group walked in front of the camera, the camera made the same noise I had heard minutes before and again I noted this on the activity log.
1 of our team members walked back and forth in front of the camera several times to confirm that the rattling noise had been caused by the vibration of someone walking in the area. This confirmed that walking in front of the camera did create a rattling noise on camera.
On playing back the recording after the 1st vigil it was apparent that the 1st time the noise occurred, the camera actually shook when the noise occurred however this was before anyone entered the auditorium.
Possible causes could have been the vibration of trains running near by therefore we decided to start logging the times of passing trains on the activity log at the Base Station.
One such log showed that the noise of the train was more audible than before however camera 3 did not replicate the rattling noise or shaking that had occurred earlier in the evening.
As the only way to replicate the activity on camera 3 was to walk in front of it, Who or What caused the noise and shaking the first time when the auditorium was empty?
Vigils
East Stairwell: A remote camera had been placed at the foot of the stairwell and a digital video camera was placed half way at the turning point, to capture the top half of the stairs and the window at the top. Malcolm and David based themselves at the foot of the stairs whilst Graeme and Anne remained at the top of the stairs.
Malcolm had been aware of a tightening pressure across the bridge of his nose for most of the day, which he has come to recognise as being indicative of the energies around him changing. This pressure was now constant. Anne took Graeme through a light meditation to focus his thoughts on one object, to allow a channel to open up for any spiritual communication that may occur.
Graeme is aware of a 4 sec High level vibration that feels to be outside rather than inside the building. He then becomes aware of an ache behind his rib cage on his right side. A warm feeling comes across his left arm although his hand is still cold.
10:30pm- Graeme and Anne experience a sudden shiver and tingling sensation that lasts for several minutes
Graeme has a tingling sensation across his face whilst Anne has a shiver that starts at top of her head and works right down through her body and remains in her arms and legs.
David calls up from the foot of the stairs to advise that Malcolm is aware that someone wants to communicate with Anne.
Anne tunes into the surroundings and is aware of a man in a 3 pointed hat – A Town Cryer. He has a ¾ length coat, waistcoat, knee length socks and trousers that end at the knee. The name “TOM” is given followed by “ WINSON” or “WHINSTONE”.
He is ringing a hand bell and carrying a black cat. Anne isn’t sure if this is a lucky omen or a sign of bad news. Anne is aware of a tram and is concerned about an accident and tearful feelings. The man is now coughing and spluttering and the term “Impending Doom” is picked up. It’s not clear whether or not this is the man portraying a past event. “1947” is given then “December”. When Anne asks the man to give her some indication of how he passed to Spirit she feels a strong, physical sensation in her throat and a rising ill feeling from her stomach to her throat. This indicates that he passed through an illness rather than an accident.
Anne is then aware that the man is trying to open her eyes and is making her aware that she is “missing something by not seeing clearly”. The hairs on Anne’s arms stand up and then she sees that the man is pointing down towards the Box Office or the open-air passageway between the wall of the Theatre and the front of the Box office area. He then turns to walk away signifying that his communication is over.
Anne then clearly picked up the face of another man and the name “Arthur”. He was aged between 50 and 65 with a round face, short white hair, facial stubble and rosy cheeks. He is theatrical in his mannerisms and is indicating that want s to guide us through the bar at the foot of the stairs, along the corridor that leads to the other bar area. He is almost camp in his mannerisms.
Crypt: In this area 1 team member felt light headed, while another felt they were spaced out and was struggling to focus.
Backstage Corridor:
A drum like sound was heard by everyone and although it was not similar to the sound of passing trains heard earlier in the evening, this hasn’t been completely ruled out as a possible explanation
Victoria Bar:
As we were sitting trying to get a response, something caught the eye of 1 of the team members to the left and when they looked at the kitchen door, they saw the shape of a ‘big’ man walking from left to right. They looked and saw 1 of the staff was looking in the same direction. They were asked what they were looking at and they said that they saw the outline or shadow of someone walking past the Kitchen door from left to right. Knowing that the other team were in that area, we quickly went to the kitchen doors see if any of the guys were about. We also called out to them and got no response. We eventually found them in the cellar. They were asked if anyone had been walking about in the kitchen in the last few minutes, they all confirmed that they had been in the cellar for at least 10 minutes. They also did not hear us call out to them.
Victoria Bar:
A Digital Camcorder was positioned in the upper level of the bar, facing towards the kitchen door. The sitters sat in front of the kitchen door. Although the group all took turns to ask for evidence to be given by any energies that may have been present there were no audible or visible responses to any questioning. The only possible feedback was a comment that one of the staff felt of “Not while she’s here”. Despite continuous questioning as to who “She” might be, no response was perceived by the group.
Communication Circle in the Changing Rooms:
Various physical feelings were felt by most of the sitters during this session, there were also partial names and dates and other information about the names but unfortuenately none of this information was enough to track down.
Conclusion
We have now visited The Tron Theatre 3 times and on each occasion it never fails to produce interesting results. What is really interesting is that is that we have new people, usually different staff members, with us who always pick up something in the Communication Circle even if they have never had any previous experience of meditation or mediumship.
There have been public reports of seeing a figure in the window of the Clock Tower however we have yet to find any evidence of any paranormal activity in this part of the building. It maybe that either someone was performing maintenance on the Clock machinery or strange shadows may have been caused by the street lighting?
We are more interested in the activity experienced in the Box Office area and Basement ( Crypt) at the foot of the Clock Tower, the Kitchen off the Victoria Bar, the Boiler room and East Stairwell. These areas always have uneasy feelings and produce reports of unusual sightings and feelings by the staff and by SPI….we look forward to our next visit.
