theatre

Sydney has always feared the shark; every Sydneysider’s felt some trepidation when venturing into the waters that surround our beautiful city. But as it turns out, sharks come in human form too. Shark Arm Case, a joint collaboration between Deadhouse Productions and Museums of History NSW, shows just how dangerous and destructive those particular creatures can be.

On 17th April 1935, a fisherman caught a small shark off Coogee Beach. As he reeled in his catch, a four metre tiger shark swallowed the smaller fish. The man then hooked the tiger shark quickly taking it to the Coogee Aquarium Baths, a very popular attraction at the time, where he knew the tiger shark would bring in crowds during the coming Anzac Day weekend. The crowds did indeed arrive to peer at the trapped shark. Horror ensued when the animal suddenly vomited up a human arm. Unsurprisingly, initial impressions were the owner of the arm had been an unfortunate victim of a shark attack given that Sydney had recently experienced a spate of shark attacks. Medical examination, however, showed the arm had not been bitten off; instead it appeared to have been severed by a knife or other sharp instrument. Was the arm’s owner murdered and if so, whodunnit?

Sydney’s Justice & Police Museum near Circular Quay is the perfect setting for an immersive theatre performance depicting the nefarious activities of the city’s 1930s criminal underworld. After police realised they were dealing with a victim of crime rather than a shark attack, the press soon picked up the story. The arm featured a tattoo of two boxers in battle; it was this tattoo and the coverage of the story in the city’s newspapers that drew the attention of Edwin Smith. His brother, Jim, a small-time crook turned police informant (known as a ‘fizgig’), had been missing for weeks. Coincidentally, Jim also had a distinctive tattoo on his forearm of two boxers. Had Jim Smith been murdered? This is the pressing question the performance opens with. The play starts with Jim’s wife Gladys (Madison Chippendale), and another character Mrs M (Karli Evans), in Gladys’ living room. The audience surrounds the two, witnessing Gladys’ harrowing realisation that the victim may well be her husband. In the next scene, we’re introduced to Reginald Holmes (Barret Griffin) and his wife, Inie (Roz Hicks) in their north shore home. Holmes runs a successful boat-building business but is also involved in illegal activity using his speedboats to smuggle drugs and other contraband into Sydney. We hear a heated conversation between Holmes and Patrick Brady, another small-time crook and associate of Holmes. Holmes’ fear of Brady is palpable. What exactly have Brady and Holmes been up to?

Later we move into a larger room where our guide and the Aquarium manager’s wife in a combined role (played by actor Kyla Ward, who is also the show’s writer) fills in the backstory. A screen projection shows the moment the tiger shark purged itself of the tattooed arm – a suitably gory moment in the riveting production that elicited more than a few groans of disgust. Police investigators Frank Mathews and Allmond now take on the case. Our personable guide informs us that Mathews does not like losing a case; he will do whatever it takes to win. But maybe this time Mathews will meet his match, coming up against a lack of convincing evidence and a stubbornly impenetrable criminal underbelly.

The performers are truly the compelling force of this clever production. Driven by powerful dialogue, the play takes us into a fascinating cold case that to this day remains unsolved. Mark Stokes as the feisty Mathews and Sam as his calm offsider, Allmond, are the backbone of the play. A yin and yang duo, both detectives try to solve a case that lacks a crucial piece of evidence: the victim’s body. Kyla Lee Ward as the guide is particularly entertaining. Her commentary provides humour and levity throughout the piece. Ward is also to be commended for her writing. Roz Hicks gives an emotional performance as the long-suffering Mrs Holmes. In fact, it is the women in this story who suffer the most, standing by men who repeatedly let them down through the poor life choices they make. Barret Griffin as Reginald Holmes captures the businessman’s cravenness; he later adeptly transforms into the commanding Clive Evatt KC, who represents Brady at the coroner’s inquest. Mention also goes to Steve Maresca as Jim Smith and Karli Evans as Grace Brady. Kyle Stephens’ lighting design and props managed by Lew McDonnell added just the right atmosphere and mood to each scene.

Deadhouse Productions are certainly keeping Sydney’s criminal history alive through their immersive theatre productions. Judging by the full audience on the night I attended, there is truly an insatiable appetite for true crime stories such as the Shark Arm Case. So, if you fancy yourself a detective and you’re hungry for some unsolved crime, get along to the Justice & Police Museum for a fascinating night out.

To book tickets to Shark Arm Case, please visit https://mhnsw.au/whats-on/events/shark-arm-case/.

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