pp257-261.

”[…] In 1849 the Unitarians migrated from Paradise Street
to a handsome edifice in the Gothic style of architecture in
Hope Street. Paradise Street Chapel was put up for sale and
bought privately on behalf of Mr. Joseph Heath, who, about
1850, opened the building as the Royal Colosseum Theatre
and Music Hall. It is only fair to mention that the Unitarians
did not know for what purpose their former chapel had
been bought. When Mr. Heath first opened the theatre the
pews of the chapel were requisitioned for seating accommodation.
The dramatic entertainments which Mr. Heath
gave his patrons, the youthful and ancient mariners from the
Wapping and other contiguous docks, were of a full-flavoured
description, while the variety performances, which were given
in that portion of the building fronting Paradise Street,!
were well suited to the taste of those for whom he successfully
catered through a number of years.



When Mr. Heath first opened the 'Colly,' as it was familiarly called
the audience, in order to enter the theatre, had to
pass through the graveyard which partly encircled the building.
Amongst a number of youthful frequenters of the 'Colly'
the belief gained ground that some 'spirit doom'd for a certain
term to walk the night' haunted the vicinity of the theatre.
Be this as it may, there is no doubt that prior to the removal
of the remains for reinterment elsewhere, 'Props' of the theatre
was never at his wit's end for a skull for Hamlet. Indeed
the actor could help himself, for when in the dressing-room
(which had previously been used as a grave vault), he had, it
is said, only to put his hand through a thin division wall to
lay hold, even as Hamlet did, of the grisly relic itself. My
friend, the late James Carr, told me he remembered that on
one occasion when Eugene Aram was played at the 'Colly,'
a real skeleton from the adjoining graveyard was requisitioned
to do duty for the bones of Aram's victim! […]” (258-9).