Adelphi Theatre

The exterior of the Adelphi Theatre in 1930, during refurbishment. The image is in black and white, with the art deco features. Picking a top-ten shows from 200 years of top-notch drama, comedy, musicals and panto would be tough, but we know someone who might be able to help: William Terris, the theatre’s reputed ghost. Terris was a celebrated actor appearing in the run of Secret Service at the Adelphi in 1897 when he was fatally stabbed by jealous colleague Richard Prince whilst entering the theatre. Terris died in his leading lady’s arms, uttering the words ‘I’ll be back’. A plaque dedicated to his memory hangs on the Adelphi rear wall in Maiden Lane and his ghost has allegedly been seen inside the auditorium and around Covent Garden tube station.