At the Yates Theatre, the most mysterious performances are said to happen after the curtain falls.
Built in the 1960s and named after Genevieve Yates, the theatre has collected stories of unexpected visitors, unexplained voices and figures who vanish at a second glance. In this recording, the Lethbridge Historical Society takes you into the folklore surrounding its stage, lobby and backstage spaces.
Some stories begin with a glimpse from outside. Passersby have reportedly spotted people in the second-floor glass lobby long after closing, sometimes dressed in 1920s clothing. According to the accounts, checks of the building found nobody inside.
Other tales come from behind the scenes. A worker heard a solo singer—and, on another occasion, an entire choir—only to discover an empty stage. Two girls were said to have emerged from a former storage area nicknamed “Pebble Beach,” then disappeared into an empty bathroom. Different versions of their story have circulated over time.
Even the dressing rooms have their own legend: a figure seated in an armchair, quietly reading a script as though preparing for a leading role. Look again, and the performer is gone.
These are reported encounters and evolving local legends, leaving their explanation open to the listener. Take a moment to look up at the lobby and imagine the building after the audience has left. Could the Yates still have one more performance waiting in the wings?
For more stories like this, consider a guided tour with the Lethbridge Historical Society!
