A unique venture into the history of South Australia and West Terrace Cemetery
Presented by: Adelaide Cemetery Tours
Reviewed: 28 July, 2023
Since 2014, Adelaide Cemetery Tours have been holding night tours through the West Terrace Cemetery — Australia’s oldest operating cemetery. Riding on the success of their previous tour, Mavericks, Madness & Murder Most Foul!, their new tour, Tragic Tales! tells the stories of several notable and notorious figures who are laid to rest within the walls of West Terrace Cemetery.
Guests are greeted by John Monck (played by Tim Cousins) at the old caretaker’s cottage at the front of the grounds. Monck, the original caretaker of the cemetery, was notorious for his poor record keeping during his time at the cemetery. Cousins’ draws the walking tour group deep into the cemetery with ad libbing and in-character banter, before arriving at Monck’s actual grave and recounts some of Monck’s rather unusual ways of managing the cemetery. From here figures appear from the darkness, presenting a series of curated stories about some of the famous, infamous and unknown people who are buried in West Terrace Cemetery.
Tarn McIntosh was our host for the evening. She skilfully led the tour through the cemetery, weaving facts about the cemetery between each stop. Her knowledge of the cemetery and its history is remarkable. Her warming demeanour pulled the tour group into her stories as we walked deeper into the cemetery. McIntosh is supported by a well-rehearsed cast of actors. There is alternate casting depending on the week, but on the night I attended, the tour featured Heather Crawford, Emily Blair, Tim Cousins, Simon Lancione and Tam McIntosh. Each took on the persona of the characters they were presenting with great conviction. There were moments of the tour that featured pre-recorded voice overs, featuring Brian Godfrey and John Martin, which added an interesting theatrical element.
Each story has been well put together, with careful research and great scripting. The writing and presentation can one minute have you gasping at some of the more shocking facts, and in the next have you laughing in disbelief.
Each member of the tour is provided with an antique style lantern that casts enough light to see where you are going – a nice touch that adds to the ambience. It is worth noting that the tour takes you over an array of surfaces — grass, pavers, gravel, bitumen. At the different stops on the tour, there are cleverly hidden lights to draw the focus to the various characters.
Tragic Tales! is not a ghost tour; it is a living history tour of some of the interesting people that are buried in the West Terrace Cemetery. You are guaranteed to learn something new about the rich history of our state. I have for years heard about the West Terrace Cemetery tours, but never done them. After taking this tour, I wish I had discovered these informative and interesting tours sooner. Rug up and take a trip through the grave stones with Tragic Tales!
Reviewed by: Ben Stefanoff
Photo credit: Jiayuan Liang Xplorer Studio
Venue: West Terrace Cemetery
Season: Every second Friday evening – see website for exact dates and times
Duration: 75mins
Tickets: Adult: $30, Concession: $25
Bookings: www.tours.aca.sa.gov.au
Disclaimer: Simon Lancione and Brian Godfrey are part of the Glam Adelaide Arts review team.
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