After a stellar inaugural season last year, DEADHOUSE Tales of Sydney Morgue, is back with a new show and housed in a new venue – the Crypt underneath St James’ Church. This true-crime, immersive theatre experience runs from 23rd October – 30th November.
For centuries, city morgues were known as ‘deadhouses’ because bodies could not be buried in the frozen ground of winter, so were stored in these deadhouses until the thaw. Between 1854 and 1972, Sydney’s deadhouse was the Sydney Morgue and Coroner’s Court located in George Street. Thousands of grim cases of murder and unexplained death passed through the site and into Sydney’s history.
DEADHOUSE Tales of Sydney Morgue takes two such cases and brings them to life while audiences move through the eerie, neo-gothic tunnel and side rooms that comprise the Crypt.
DEADHOUSE Tales of Sydney Morgue 2019 will explore the notorious crimes of alleged husband-killer, Louisa Collins and deadly prison escapees Kevin Simmonds and Leslie Newcombe. A thrilling mix of history, theatre and true-crime, a talented cast of ten performers in each play will draw you into experiencing these two grisly stories from Sydney’s dark and murderous past.
A Poison Crown by Gina Schien 23rd Oct – 9th Nov
Set in 19th century Sydney, A Poison Crown brings to life the characters who fought for and against convicted murderer Louisa Collins. Tried four times for the deaths of her two husbands, Louisa was the last woman hanged in NSW after an all-male jury found her guilty of poisoning both men.
The Louisa Collins case captured the public’s attention and imagination – people packed the courthouse to watch all four of the ‘Botany Borgia’ murder trials. Louisa’s eventual death sentence sparked both celebration and outrage and still to this day the case is shrouded in mystery and great doubts are held about Louisa’s guilt.
Simmonds & Newcombe: The Deadly Run by Liviu Monsted 20th Nov – 30th Nov
In 1959, two convicts, Kevin Simmonds and Leslie Newcombe, undertook an audacious escape from Sydney’s notorious Long Bay Penitentiary, leading to the biggest police hunt in NSW history involving more than 500 police-officers over several weeks.
Escaping from the central section of the gaol through a ventilation duct in the roof of the prison chapel, they spent their first night of freedom huddled in a freshly dug grave in Botany Cemetery before breaking into Emu Plains Prison Farm where they murdered a guard to steal his revolver and hide in the bush.
Due to their ability to elude capture and outfox police, the two men gained some notoriety and fame during their time on the run. Five weeks later, crowds greeted Simmonds when he was eventually brought to Sydney’s Central Criminal Court for trial.
WHAT: DEADHOUSE Tales of Sydney Morgue 2019
WHEN:
- Louisa Collins: A Poison Crown – 6pm, 7:30pm, 9pm sessions from 23rd Oct – 9th Nov
- Simmonds & Newcombe: The Deadly Run – 6pm, 7:30pm and 9pm sessions from 20th – 30th Nov
LOCATION: The Crypt – St James’ Church, West Courtyard, 173 King St, Sydney
DURATION: 70 minutes
TICKETS: General Admission $80.21 | Concession $69.66. Discounts available for groups. Bookings via Eventbrite or purchase at the door
SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Cast David Attrill, Sandra Campbell, Christopher Daw, Steve Donelan, Joanna Eve, Shaun Foley, Jordan Gallegos, Mary-Anne Halpin, Wendi Lanham, Steve Maresca, Chris Miller, Liviu Monsted, Jacqui Robson, Alex Smith, Kyla Ward and Gregory J Wilken.
PLEASE NOTE: Depictions of violence and death together with semi-nudity. A nurse will be present to assist any distressed patrons.