If you are an adult true-crime fanatic and love historical detail then the Sydney’s Razor Gang True Crime Tour is for you. In fact it was more of a two-hour theatrical performance as Ryan delivered a high-energy, full blown monologue for the whole time in spite of being a dark and stormy night!
A group of eight met in Darlinghurst and walked through the suburb visiting the crime scene locations and it felt like we were on a live set with the characters brought to life as we travelled through their lives, crimes, fights and murders. First tip, put on walking shoes and be prepared as it is a non-stop and wonderful journey of facts not fiction.
We learnt about the major characters in the infamous Sydney razor gang wars. Ryan informed us how they moved from low crime to being major gang bosses including two ruthless women. Each location had a story to tell including the local art school having previously been the jail with plenty of hangings. We all mused about the students would paint and create and wondering if any of them had seen a ghost or two!
Ryan cleverly wove in and out of the history of each major gang member as they bumped up against the changing police laws and behaviour and fell in and out of favour with each other and their people. There were love affairs, cocaine and lots of blood. He gave us the full-blown background and impact of each player as this small but lethal community exploded and imploded.
The police didn’t escape as different characters including the first female officers came on the scene; a mix of honourable cops and others bordering on the legal side of the law. It was fascinating to find out their history and impact on managing the gangs and trying to bring some §sense of law to the area.
No one escapes in the end and they all died the way they had lived. Many in this time might have become rock stars and some could have legitimised their businesses or made enough money to live quietly but no, they were mad, bad and often sad.
Huge applause for Ryan as in the final moments he gave us the full war story with all gangs meeting in a frenzy of razor blade slashing whilst he was battling a windy storm. It just added to the atmosphere as we stood near a dark and dingy alley with lights flickering, a furious gale blowing and a sense of doom and gloom. Fabulous!
To book tickets to Sydney Razor Gangs True Crime Tour, please visit https://darkstories.com.au/sydney-razor-gangs-true-crime-tour/.
