'We Had To Get A Priest': Andrew Lloyd Webber Describes Poltergeist In His Home

LOADING ERROR LOADING Andrew Lloyd Webber says he’s never seen a ghost — but briefly once lived with one. The renowned composer recently sat down with The Telegraph and, as co creator of “ The Phantom of the Opera ,” was naturally asked if any of the theaters he owns are haunted. Webber denied as much, before making an intriguing claim about his home in London.

“I did have a house in Eaton Square which had a poltergeist,” he told the outlet in an interview Tuesday . “It would do things like take theatre scripts and put them in a neat pile in some obscure room. In the end we had to get a priest to come and bless it, and it left.” Advertisement This purportedly organized ghost starkly contrasts a traditional poltergeist, which remain unproven but are nonetheless known for their mischief, violence and noise.

The term itself translates directly from German to “rapping” or “thudding” ghost. Webber’s home is notably situated in Belgravia, a central neighborhood developed in the 19th century by Marquess of Westminster, Robert Grosvenor. From those noble roots sprang some of the best schools and most expensive homes in the world.

While Webber has yet to encounter a ghost directly, some of his famous peers have claimed to. Sir Patrick Stewart alleged in 2009 that he witnessed an apparition while performing “Waiting for Godot” with Sir Ian McKellen onstage in central London. “I have been witnessing stuff since I was 12 years old,” Stewart recently told USA Today .

“And it has stayed with me throughout my life. I have sometimes quite intense feelings and nighttime experiences and occasionally I witness things.” Advertisement “Why would I invent it? Because I always feel slightly foolish when I talk about this.” Webber at the 2009 premiere of his musical "Love Never Dies" in London.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press And Webber isn’t the first of his crew to be baffled by the unseen. Even Sir Cameron Mackintosh, who produced “Phantom,” recently admitted to feeling something strange at a nearby theater. “On the opening night of ‘Miss Saigon’ in 1989 … I walked onto the vast stage and stood with [designer] John Napier,” he told The Telegraph .

“As we gazed into the beautiful empty auditorium, we felt a chill and heard some slight sounds above our heads in the grid.” “In less than a minute, it was gone, but we both felt some presence,” he continued. “Later the theatre’s old manager George Hoare told me: ‘That was the Man in Grey.

He always turns up if you’re going to have a big hit!’” Webber’s neighborhood, meanwhile, has some rather historic ghosts to choose from. Past residents of Eaton Square include former prime minister Neville Chamberlain, his foreign secretary Lord Halifax and actor Vivien Leigh. Perhaps it was one of them who nightly tended to Webber’s papers — although a housekeeper certainly makes more sense.

Advertisement Support HuffPost The Stakes Have Never Been Higher At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well researched, expert vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.

Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way. At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. A vibrant democracy is impossible without well informed citizens. This is why HuffPost's journalism is free for everyone, not just those who can afford expensive paywalls.

We cannot do this without your help. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a vibrant democracy is impossible without well informed citizens. This is why we keep our journalism free for everyone, even as most other newsrooms have retreated behind expensive paywalls.

Our newsroom continues to bring you hard hitting investigations, well researched analysis and timely takes on one of the most consequential elections in recent history. Reporting on the current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly — and we need your help. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.

Support HuffPost Related Ghosts Andrew Lloyd Webber Poltergeist Martin Sheen Deflates Rumors Of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Support In A Very ‘West Wing’ Way Shia LaBeouf Confirmed Into Catholic Church — And Might Become A Deacon German Heiress' Children Reportedly Kidnapped On New Year's Amid Custody Dispute LEAVE A COMMENT Marco Margaritoff Trends Reporter Suggest a correction Do you have info to share with HuffPost reporters? Here’s how.

Go to Homepage Popular in the Community FROM OUR PARTNER.