THEATRE STAGE AN OLD HAUNT FOR SID?
YESTERDAY marked the 30th anniversary of the passing of actor Sid James, who died suddenly while appearing at the Sunderland Empire Theatre. Sid exited the stage in a way he never would have expected.
However, as a fellow thespian remarked: "It was probably the way he would have wanted to go – doing what he loved best."
Sid may have left this life for whatever lies beyond, but there have been persistent rumours that he may not have fully left the theatre.
Last week I interviewed Melvyn James – a spooky coincidence with the surname there, perhaps – who was stage manager at the Empire then and now serves as technical manager.
What, I asked him, was the real truth behind the rumours that Sid’s ghost had been seen in the theatre since his untimely demise?
First Melvyn told me what really happened when Sid died, as distorted accounts have been bandied around in the Press ever since.
"Sid was at the side of stage chatting just as the curtain was about to go up.
"He looked fine. It was the opening night of The Mating Game and he introduced himself to everyone; not that he needed to – who could mistake Sid James?
"Anyway, I was in my office when the wardrobe mistress called and asked me to make my way up.
"There was something wrong with Sid. He’d slumped down on a sofa on the stage and then flopped back-over.
Serious
"I made my way onto the stage and as soon as I saw him I knew it was very serious.
"His lips were turning blue and his eyes had rolled back in his head."
Melvyn James made an appeal to the audience, shouting, "Is there a doctor in the house?"
Horribly, the crowd thought that this was simply a light-hearted diversion from the script and roared with laughter. Eventually a doctor did come forward and an ambulance was called, but it was too late.
Rumours persist that a number of celebrities have seen Sid’s ghost in what used to be his dressing room.
What about the tale that Les Dawson had bumped into the by then other-worldly Mr James?
"I’ve heard the stories," replies Melvyn. "But if Les did see anything, he never mentioned it when he was here.
"Maybe he related something later, but I saw him regularly and he never made any such claims."
And Barbara Windsor?
"It’s true that Barbara hasn’t appeared here since Sid’s death," said Melvyn. "But I really don’t know why."
"Perhaps Babs just can’t bear to work the same stage on which her good friend died."
The Les Dawson story may well have some substance to it.
Les was supposed to have seen Sid’s ghost at the Empire in 1989.
He didn’t die till 1993 and therefore had a number of years to scotch the story if it was untrue. He never did.
Contrary to a number of fanciful meanderings in the Press, Melvyn James doesn’t seem convinced that the Sunderland Empire is really haunted.
He doesn’t talk like a sceptic, mind you – more of an agnostic.
Maybe he’ll bump into Sid one day, who knows.
Next week I’ll tell you what happened when the theatre’s Press & marketing co-ordinator, Joanne Wilkins, took me on a tour of some of the theatre’s darkest recesses.
It’s a good job I had my camera with me... to be continued.
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