• Breytenbach Theatre in Pretoria is known for much more than theatre productions - it’s also rumoured to house ghostly presences.
    Breytenbach Theatre in Pretoria is known for much more than theatre productions - it’s also rumoured to house ghostly presences.
  • The theatre used to be a hospital during the flu epidemic of 1918. It's now a teaching centre for the Technikon University of Tshwane.
    The theatre used to be a hospital during the flu epidemic of 1918. It's now a teaching centre for the Technikon University of Tshwane.
  • The red upholstered seats are old. Phoenix Paranormal SA sat here during its investigation & saw apparitions of children running & laughing.
    The red upholstered seats are old. Phoenix Paranormal SA sat here during its investigation & saw apparitions of children running & laughing.
  • The theatre's notable ghost, Nurse Hedda, would appear in this room & make her way to the stage. She is said to have card for sick children.
    The theatre's notable ghost, Nurse Hedda, would appear in this room & make her way to the stage. She is said to have card for sick children.
  • Oom Jan van den Brink used to be a prop designer at the theatre & would work with TUT students. He says he has seen & felt Hedda's presence.
    Oom Jan van den Brink used to be a prop designer at the theatre & would work with TUT students. He says he has seen & felt Hedda's presence.
  • The corridor between the dressing rooms is where Nurse Hedda was seen & felt by Oom Jan. He says she wears a long white dress and hat.
    The corridor between the dressing rooms is where Nurse Hedda was seen & felt by Oom Jan. He says she wears a long white dress and hat.
  • Backstage at the theatre, Hedda can sometimes be heard dragging her feet as she walks to the cellar.
    Backstage at the theatre, Hedda can sometimes be heard dragging her feet as she walks to the cellar.
  • This door on the stage floor leads to the cellar below it. The cellar was used as a mortuary when the theatre was a hospital.
    This door on the stage floor leads to the cellar below it. The cellar was used as a mortuary when the theatre was a hospital.
  • Some say the supernatural presence in cellar will sense people who aren’t mentally strong & the atmosphere would feel
    Some say the supernatural presence in cellar will sense people who aren’t mentally strong & the atmosphere would feel "upside down".
  • Some items now stored in the cellar include old props & materials used for theatre productions.
    Some items now stored in the cellar include old props & materials used for theatre productions.
  • Under the stage, this is where the orchestra used to play. Sounds of ghostly piano playing have been heard in the theatre.
    Under the stage, this is where the orchestra used to play. Sounds of ghostly piano playing have been heard in the theatre.
  • Oom Jan says Hedda would vanish under the stage after her journey from upstairs. She would often be heard asking where her children were.
    Oom Jan says Hedda would vanish under the stage after her journey from upstairs. She would often be heard asking where her children were.
  • This window in the cellar opens to the front. During its hospital days, it was used to remove bodies when the mortuary reached capacity.
    This window in the cellar opens to the front. During its hospital days, it was used to remove bodies when the mortuary reached capacity.
  • It’s said that a rod holding the lights fell suddenly during a production, just missing a few performers. Oom Jan suspects it was a ghost.
    It’s said that a rod holding the lights fell suddenly during a production, just missing a few performers. Oom Jan suspects it was a ghost.
  • Oom Jan says on one occasion, he found these curtain ropes cut, & it looked like it was done with a hacksaw. Who did it is still a mystery.
    Oom Jan says on one occasion, he found these curtain ropes cut, & it looked like it was done with a hacksaw. Who did it is still a mystery.
  • This dressing room near the backstage entrance was named after Nurse Hedda.
    This dressing room near the backstage entrance was named after Nurse Hedda.
  • The theatre was named after Dr Petrus Philippus Benjamin Breytenbach (Oom Breytjie), chair of the then National Theatre Organisation.
    The theatre was named after Dr Petrus Philippus Benjamin Breytenbach (Oom Breytjie), chair of the then National Theatre Organisation.
  • Before the building was acquired by the National Theatre Organisation in 1955, it was originally a German community hall.
    Before the building was acquired by the National Theatre Organisation in 1955, it was originally a German community hall.