It’s a cold, dark night in Sydney. As the wind whips around St James’ Cathedral, there’s a whisper of something sinister. The shadows appear to be moving and an overwhelming sense of anticipation hangs in the air. This is Deadhouse: Tales of Sydney Morgue and we are about to step into Razor Gang Wars: The Rise of Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh.
Written and directed by Liviu Monsted, this immersive theatre experience takes place in the crypt beneath St James’ Church, beginning in the courtyard outside its doors. We are introduced to Darlinghurst in the late 1920s by our guide, played by Kyla Ward, and to the razor wars which saw many criminals wind up dead. As the story unfolds, we are led into the crypt, becoming part of the drama as it plays out around us.
With the introduction of the Pistol Licensing Act of 1927, underworld figures were forced to find a new weapon of choice, opting for the inconspicuous cutthroat razor. With this, razor gangs were born and battles for control of the criminal underbelly of Sydney ensued.
We meet Kate Leigh (Deirdre Campbell), known as the ‘Queen of Surry Hills’, who made her money through the illegal trade of alcohol and cocaine, while operating an illegal gambling den out of her home. Her rival, Tilly Devine (Alexandra Smith), was a Madame and a cocaine dealer, known as the ‘Queen of Woolloomooloo’. While the NSW Vagrancy Act of 1905 prohibited men from running brothels, it said nothing about women, and with this loophole Tilly Devine became the most notorious brothel owner in Sydney.
This was also an interesting time within the NSW Police Force, with the introduction of female police officers. Lillian Armfield (Donna Randall) was the first appointed female police detective, encouraged to reach out to the prostitutes and women of the underworld and try to stop the escalating violence. Of course, as a woman, she was not afforded the same privileges as her male colleagues, such as a uniform or a weapon. One of the most authentic portals in Razor Gang Wars is the relationship between Armfield and known prostitute Nellie Cameron (Wendi Lanham).
Nellie Cameron was known for her relationships with underworld figures, many of which ended up dead. She is notorious for becoming the first woman in Australia to be convicted of consorting with criminals. The scene where she is arrested for this by Armfield is the most powerful in the production. As Cameron jumps on the table brandishing a razor from her girdle, you can see the hurt in her expression and the tears that fill her eyes. Wendi Lanham’s portrayal of Cameron is enthralling, and she effortlessly dominates every scene she is in.
Other standout performances include Donna Randall as trailblazer Lillian Armfield, Alexandra Smith as the clever and slightly insane Tilly Devine, Deirdre Campbell as the oddly likeable Kate Leigh and the person who ties it all together, Kyla Ward as your guide and confidant.
While there are many commendable male actors throughout this production, they each depict various characters, often in similar dress, so it became increasingly difficult to differentiate them. You rely primarily on an audience remembering their names and that proved challenging. Group size for these performances is limited to 30 but I would suggest a smaller audience. There were several moments where I felt completely in the way of the actors, and while I appreciate this forms part of the immersive experience, it served to detract from what was being performed. One scene in particular I missed completely, squashed in a corridor doorway, with taller people in front of me.
Razor Gang Wars: The Rise of Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh is a fun, interactive and educational piece of theatre. The crypt beneath St James’ Church is the perfect setting for this dark and sordid piece of Sydney’s history. By far the most entertaining history lesson you’ll ever have.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Reviewer attended the 6.30pm session on 1 September 2022.
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Photos: Phyllis Photography
