Take a hop with me down under, to the lovely enchanted land of New Zealand. My Lyrical Press sister, Joanne Wadsworth, is interviewing me on her blog today. She came up with some great questions that I had a blast answering.
So grab a cuppa, embrace your inner kiwi, and rattle your dags (that’s hurry up . . . I think) and hop over to Joanne’s blog.
Wow! You’re packed already?
I guess rattling the dags did the trick, huh? Well before you nick away (like my kiwi slang?) I want to share a Mythical Monday meandering in honor of my New Zealand blog destination. Take a peek at what I’ve dug up:
The city of Wellington is the home of Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop. It’s also home to St. James Theatre, a reputedly haunted destination, inhabited by several resident ghosts.
Yuri appears to be the most popular. According to legend, this ill-fated Russian performer either fell to his death from several meters above the stage or was pushed by a female performer. Hmm . . . a slighted lover perhaps? However his untimely demise, Yuri seems to be more mischievous than harmful. He’s been known to turn lights on and off and, on another occasion, even saved a theater worker from harm when he nearly fell into the orchestra pit. That’s the kind of spirit you want to have around!
The ‘Wailing Woman’ is an actress, who had the traumatic experience of being booed 
from the stage. Devastated by the audience’s reaction to her performance, she took her life by slitting her wrists. Her ghost now roams the theater sobbing and wailing over her tragic fate.
If that isn’t enough, there is an entire boys’ choir often heard singing. The choir gave its last performance during World War II before sailing off on tour. Sadly, their ship was never heard from again and all are believed to have drowned. Many stage workers have reported hearing the choir sing, only to have that sound move further away when they approach.
Although it has never been proven, some believe St. James Theatre was constructed on a burial ground, hence the reason so many departed spirits roam its halls and passages. Initially, a church, it was purchased by entertainer John Fuller in December 1899. I always experience a small shiver whenever I see a significant event occur near the turn of a century. St. James had its share of fame, fell into neglect, was demolished, and rebuilt.
And still the ghosts remain.
In 2005, paranormal investigators from the New Zealand television show, Ghost Hunt, ventured into St. James Theatre and captured numerous orbs on photographs.
So, if you happen to find yourself in Wellington enjoying the scenery of Middle Earth, remember it may not just be hobbits and orcs wandering the countryside! I’d rather run into Frodo Baggins than the Wailing Woman any day. What about you?
This is fascinating stuff! I love these — and this one has me feeling like I’ve been transported right to the spot you’re describing. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi, Donna. Thanks for stopping my and checking out my latest Mythical Monday musings. It’s amazing the things I find out there when compiling these posts. I’m not sure I’d ever want to be alone in the St. James Theatre, but it would probably be a cool plan to visit if a performance was taking place!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
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The Wailing Woman sounds both creepy and sad.
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I agree, Emma. So tragic. She must have been completely devastated to resort to something so terrible.Even sadder, it sounds like she’s still not at peace. Her story gave me the most chills.
Thanks for checking out today’s MM topic 😉
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Hope you’re enjoying your blog tour.
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Kia Ora, Mae. That’s seriously freaky stuff, but I’m not surprised. New Zealand was the last country in the world to be discovered, so no matter the short history we have, it’s as interesting as can be.
I’ve been to St James Theatre and it’s like walking back in time–it has that old-world feel even though it was remodeled for the Lord of the Rings red-carpet events just a few years ago.
Thanks for dropping by my blog.
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Oooo, I had to look Kia Ora up. Thanks for the Maori wish for be well/healthy. I love learning all these cultural tidbits! I’ve always been intrigued by New Zealand and it’s stunning countryside. I fell in love with The Black Stallion series when it was filmed there. Completely amazing that you’ve been to St. James. I have goosebumps!
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Lovely and haunting, Mae. And I have this inexplicable urge to buy a plane ticket to New Zealand…
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I know what you mean, Jessi. It’s one of the places I would love to see – – although I’d have to think twice about St. James. At least, at night 🙂
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Fascinating! I love a great ghost story, especially one that lingers on through the times. Although I’ve never experienced one, I still believe in them. Great post 🙂
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Thanks for dropping by and checking out my post L.J. I remember staying in a hotel once that was haunted. It had a resident ghost, named Mary. I didn’t realize that until after I had booked the stay. If I HAD known, I’m not sure I would have booked there. For all my love of myth, I tend to get spooked easily by that stuff, LOL!
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Oh, I’d be totally freaked out if that happened!
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That’s a tough choice. The Wailing Woman would be cool. Now if you’d said Boromir instead of Frodo, I’d have to choose the non-ghost, because hormones win out over adrenaline every time. 😛
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LOL, Lynne! For me it would have to be Faramir 😉
Thanks for the fun comment!
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That would work, too… 😀
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Ooh! I’ve missed your mythical Mondays! Loved your Kiwi, by the way. Yuri sounds like my kind of ghost.
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Glad you enjoyed my Kiwi, LOL. I’ve missed Mythical Mondays too. Thanks for visiting with Yuri and the rest, Kitt!
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