Geelong Gaol takes on a starring role in new

GEELONG Gaol has been given a haunting new life on screen, standing in for Adelaide Gaol in the retelling of one of the Australia’s most controversial capital punishment cases for new Australian film In the Shadow of the Gallows.

The historical drama, written by Regina Chieftain and produced by Rob Maloy, recounts the final hour of the life of Elizabeth Woolcock – the only woman ever executed in South Australia.

Convicted in 1873 for the poisoning of her husband, Woolcock was hanged in the Adelaide Gaol at just 23 years old, and her innocence has been disputed by historians for more than a century since her death.

The film stars Australian actress Hilary Boyce, who described portraying Elizabeth as “an emotional roller coaster.”

“I worked closely with women’s true crime historian, Deb Robinson from the Geelong Gaol, and she was able to give me so much guidance on what Elizabeth’s experience would’ve been like at that time,” Boyce said.

“Knowing that it’s almost certain she was innocent and knowing that she likely had the education of a seven- to nine-year-old today, my heart literally breaks for her.”

“But knowing that I’ve been able to tell this story,” she added, “and that it will be screened in five countries, including the Adelaide Gaol where she was hanged and is currently buried, helps me know that we have fought for her, to tell her story and the make the injustice of her death accountable finally.”

Head historian at the National Crime and Punishment Museum at the Geelong Gaol Museum, Deb Robinson also appears in the film, making her acting debut portraying the figure of the church minister’s wife, and Elizabeth’s subconscious.

In the Shadow of the Gallows will be screened across Australia, New Zealand and the UK in Pub Cinema’s growing network of more than 100 pubs.”Pub Cinemas has worked extremely hard… to get to a point where we can find the production of incredible Australian films, and to build a network of screening partner venues who are keen to help us bring these movies to all parts of the country,” Programming Manager of Pub Cinemas, Stacie Milliara said.”We are focussed on producing and commissioning Australian movies that deal with who we are as a people,” she said.

In the Shadow of the Gallows will be screened at Malt Shovel Tap House in Geelong on February 12 and February 26.