A TIME honoured theatrical tradition is keeping the light on at a North Wales venue for the first time its 25 year history.

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, both Venue Cymru and Theatre Colwyn have had to turn on 'Ghost Lights' - a superstition which is said to keep ghosts away.

Although both venues closed to the public on Monday, March 16, staff were still on site until the following Monday leaving Venue Cymru completely unoccupied for the time since it was renovated in 1994.

North Wales Pioneer:

Venue Cymru's Ghost Light. Picture: Steve Cridge

A spokesperson for Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn said: "Apart from Christmas Day each year our building hasn’t been closed completely - as in no staff at all - since the doors opened 25 years ago.

"While the team at Venue Cymru have never been particularly superstitious, few of the tech crew would dream of whistling on stage and absolutely no one will mention ‘The Scottish Play’.

"However since the doors of Venue Cymru have been closed for the foreseeable the first ever Ghost Light has been lit on the stage of the 1500 seat Auditorium."

While perhaps not totally superstitious, an on stage mention of the true title of 'The Scottish Play', Shakespeare's MacBeth, by comedian Bill Bailey did cause a first of its kind light failure for the venue during a Valentine's day stand up show in 2018.

The ghost light - installed by assistant technical manager and head of LX Steve Cridge - is an electric light that is left energized on the stage of a theatre when it is unoccupied and would otherwise be completely dark.

However, it may not be needed for long as the theatre, conference area and arena will provide an additional 350 beds to support Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s response to Covid-19.

The spokesperson added: "With a back to back programme, Venue Cymru has never felt the need for this ghost light before as the theatre is rarely in total darkness.

"Theatr Colwyn’s ghost light has also been turned on, however that will help as much with the paranormal activity, there has been many a ghostly encounter experienced there, with staff, crew and visitors alike.

"Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn would like to express their thanks to all their supportive patrons over this time of uncertainty.

"We’ve been working to reschedule and rearrange shows as quickly as possible and are emailing ticket holders as and when new information becomes available, those patrons not on email will received a call from one of our Box Office team.

"We’ll be back soon, and the show will go on."