By Casey Neill
Does Dandenong’s Drum Theatre have a ghost?
Rumour has it that the spirit of former Dandenong Town Hall caretaker Edward Potter can he heard walking the corridors at night, checking that the doors are locked.
“People hear children laughing and playing late at night,” City of Greater Dandenong community programs officer Bridget Flood said.
“Technicians feel a cold chill on the stage and a feeling like they should be going home.
“You never feel like you’re alone here in the Drum Theatre.”
Visitors can make up their own mind during a night-time tour at the Lonsdale Street landmark on Saturday 29 July as part of Open House Melbourne.
The program is marking 10 years of opening Melbourne’s historic buildings to the public by making 200 buildings available for viewing.
Greater Dandenong is participating for the first time.
Drum Theatre will also be open for tours and lectures during the day on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July, as will the Heritage Hill precinct and the Dandenong Civic Centre.
“It’s going to give people access to history of the area that they don’t necessarily know about,” Ms Flood said.
The Drum Theatre started life as the Dandenong Town Hall in 1890 and has a varied history, from hosting court hearings to town dances and armed forces enlistment.
Visit www.openhousemelbourne.org for bookings and more information.
