RAZORHURST True Crime Tour

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RAZORHURST True Crime Tour

SYDNEY 1929: Tilly Devine & Kate Leigh rule the underworld. The Razor Gang Wars erupt. Blood flows. Tour their territory of Razorhurst.

By Deadhouse Productions

Select date and time

Location

Under Coca Cola sign

Darlinghurst Road Potts Point, NSW 2011 Australia

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 1 day before event
Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

About this event

RAZORHURST True Crime Tour

Sydney 1929: Tilly Devine & Kate Leigh rule the underworld. The Razor Gang Wars erupt. Blood flows. Tour their territory of Razorhurst.

Sydney’s history is engraved in its streets – a history of blood, sex and sadism, corruption and cocaine, booze and betrayal. The scars linger in local nicknames – “blood alley”, “the doors”; in the quirks of buildings that were once notorious bars and brothels, and sometimes in the personal experience of our guides. Pacing out old gang territory and the paths taken by murderers and victims brings these crimes to life, as you gain a perspective on the lives and times of those involved.

Locations & Tales

You'll walk a 2-hour guided tour of Razorhurst, which covers the historic areas of Kings Cross, Darlinghurst and East Sydney. We meet under the Coca Cola sign at top of William Street Kings Cross. Tour ends at Strand Hotel corner William and Crown Streets East Sydney.

You'll stop to view Blood Alley, where the first major battle occurred; Kellett Street where the second major gang battle occurred; see the lane where Guido Calletti was murdered; Phil Jeffs 50:50 Club, the hub of illegal gambling, cocaine and prostitution; the lanes of East Sydney, where Tilly's brothels were located; Tilly's house, the HQ of prostitution; the Tradesmen's Arms, where Tilly's gang drank and conspired; the Strand Hotel where Frank Green shot and killed Barney Dalton and wounded Snow Queen Kate Leigh's boyfriend Wally Tomlinson.

This area was referred to as Razorhurst because in 1929, due to gun laws, a gangsters weapon of choice was a cut throat razor.

Cancelation or Transfer

To cancel your tour and receive a ticket price refund, please advise up to 48 hours prior to your tour time. To transfer email time and date of current tour and time and date of tour requested to info@deadhouse.com.au

Be Prepared

Your date and time is on your ticket. Meet under Coca Cola sign top of William Street Kings Cross. The walk is around 2 km, we begin in Kings Cross and end in East Sydney. Wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat, block out and bring water.

Weather policy

If the weather is bad or looking bad we'll advise cancellation two hours or more prior to your start time. Refunds will be issued and you can rebook.

Who can attend

Children under 16 must be accompanied by adult. No pets .

Places To Eat & Drink

Love Tilly Devine Crown Lane (one block west), Strand Hotel corner William & Crown, Lord Roberts Hotel corner Stanley and Riley Streets (two blocks west).

Or walk up the hill to explore scores of great places in Potts Point. The Roosevelt is a wonderful bar and restaurant. Was once Abe Saffron's H/Q (aka Mr Sin).

Also The Rex, House, Franca, Rustica, et al, Georgios, Bloom (casual café food), Dear Sainte Èloise, Matisse, Busshari and lots more. One of Sydney's best dining districts. Ask me if you want something in particular (I've lived here 30 years).

COVID-19 Safety Plan: Our guides are fully vaccinated. Vaccination and masks are not required by law, so use at your own discretion. Refer to details of our COVID-19 Safety Plan lodged with NSW Government.

Your Guides: (alternating tour times & dates)

Kathryn Bendall: A Sydney , comedian, historian and experienced tour guide. As five starred Trip Advisor guide her one purpose is to ensure you have lots of “ I didn’t know that” moments!

Philip McDonald: Philip is a walking historian. His family has been native to Sydney since 1812. Thousands of people have enjoyed his tours of Sydney’s dark past.

Kyla Ward: An author and actor, Kyla is also an experienced host and researcher. You may know her as your Guide to DEADHOUSE: Tales of Sydney Morgue.

Jo Henwood: Accredited Tour Guide, Storyteller, Education Officer, museum theatre creative, and workshop facilitator. Jo is qualified in cultural heritage, librarianship, museum studies, tour guiding, and gifted education.

Chris Miller: Chris is a remarkable actor and voice over artist. You may know him as Lennie Lawson or Simmo or Big Jim Devine in past seasons of DEADHOUSE Tales of Sydney Morgue.

Contact: Any questions? Please email info@deadhouse.com.au or phone 0418 255 440. Please don't use messenger or text (too many sources to search!).

Want to know more?

In the late 1920’s Sydney is a boom town for vice and criminal enterprise and policing is slack to say the least. There are enormous opportunities to build criminal empires based upon the wicked desires of the average man and woman. Because of a legal loophole, these opportunities are more readily available to women. Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine are the gals who grabbed these opportunities

Tilly and Kate’s successors bibliography:

1950s: THE RISE OF MR SIN [Abe Saffron]

1990s: THE RISE OF THE GOLDEN BOY [John Ibrahim]

Tilly Devine ran dozens of brothels and was known as Queen of the Bordellos.

Kate Leigh ran scores of Sly Grog shops offering liquor, gambling, and cocaine, she was known as the Snow Queen.

Nellie Cameron was Tilly's star prostitute and was escorted by many notorious gangsters. Most died, so she was known as the Angel of Death.

Organised by

    Deadhouse Productions is a creator of theatre, film and events. Founded in 2007 by lead producer Stephen Carnell, Deadhouse Productions has produced twenty stage shows, a feature film, eight short films and a podcast over the past sixteen years. Our focus is upon new work, edgy themes, powerful performance, innovative design and unusual venues. Our current events are Razorhurst True Crime Tour every Saturday, then later in each year DEADHOUSE Tales of Sydney Morgue immersive plays in the crypt beneath St James' church. These events focus on the true crime history of Sydney.

    ABN 86 050 050 38

    Producer Stephen Carnell +61 418 255 440

25% off applied
From $26.98