Dark Side of Parkside

The third in the series of historical walking tours (following sell-out seasons for Kensington and Bowden), this is a fascinating narrative covering some of the darker and more scandalous stories from the quiet, leafy suburb.

On previous tours, we’ve been guided by a spirit of the past – this time, we have two sisters: Annie (Heather Crawford) and Penny (Shannon Norfolk), both resplendent in green Edwardian dress, who banter across each other to get the best stories out.

There are stories of churches (so many built in such a small area), murders – including a famous ‘body in the freezer’ case, and schools to challenge Adelaide’s elite. The Parkside Asylum features too – but this is no scary ghost walk. Our spirits are friendly, advising us to watch the traffic and flying foxes, and guiding us slowly around the suburban streets on a warm summer’s evening.

There’s a different kind of history to that of last year’s (Bowden), but it’s no less captivating and the morsels of stories we get from Annie and Penny leave us wanting to know more. Their passion for history is infectious and the wide age range of those leaning in to hear more, demonstrates that interest for stories past comes from a broad demographic.

Presented by Oily Rag Theatre, Norfolk has conducted meticulous research, created a connected narrative, and offers gentle, engaging performances, together with Crawford. These are important historical stories told in a light and charming manner. This season is selling fast, so grab your tickets before they disappear!

Mark Wickett

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