A Model Murder: A Ripping True Crime Yarn With Heart and Comedy Chops

Taking a leaf from the old playbook that the basis of any good comedy is a tragedy is Sheridan Harbridge’s A Model Murder at the Darlinghurst Courthouse.

Staged in the venue where the trial was held, A Model Murder tells of the incredible story of Shirley Beiger, a former SCEGGS (a well-known Darlinghurst all-girls school) girl who is on trial for her life for the murder of her boyfriend, Arthur Griffin.

The PIX magazine model was living at 3 Kellett Street in Kings Cross on and off with Griffin, a bookies runner – supposedly deeply in love.

The only problem was that Griffin has a roving eye, and was a well known fixture at the infamous Chequers nightclub.

On the night of the murder, Griffin claimed that he had a late appointment with a dentist, and left the apartment dressed to the nines.

Suspicious, Beiger went. looking for Griffin, and located him at the York Street nightclub, with a showgirl on his arm.

Beiger then travelled to her mother’s at Coogee, who then drove her daughter to Kellett Street, where she picked up a loaded .22 rifle concealed in a bag of golf clubs.

Getting her mother to bring Griffin out of the club, Beiger demanded the return of her keys.

As he leant into the car to remonstrate, the gun discharged at short range, killing Griffin with a single shot to the head.

Beiger was arrested at the scene and sent to Long Bay prison, where she tried to get bail so she could visit Griffin’s grave and apologise to his parents.

On her day in court, the battle was set up between prosecutor and defence. An unlikely support team of women filled the courts and hundreds more gathered outside, all in support of this demur blonde who claimed Griffin was the love of her life.

The jury returned its verdict within two hours.

The production of A Model Murder at Sydney Festival 2025

Writer and director Sheridan Harbridge has crafted a ripping yarn from a story by Melanie Tait, that plays the tragedy against well-timed laughs executed by an exemplary cast.

As the would-be ingenue and accused murderess, Shirley is the centre of the action and is strikingly portrayed by Sofia Nolan.

Overseeing he proceedings and our guide to the improbable tale is former 2UE compere Lyal Richardson, played exquisitely by Amber McMahon.

You know your are watching a production that is bogged down with gravitas when she/he bursts into Sadie, The Cleaning Lady.

Marverick Newman has a hoot as Junee, the constantly smoking stenographer, who has a new piece of business every time your attention is drawn to her.

Ryan Morgan also has a ball. Almost chewing the scenery as arresting officer Detective Blissett, he describes the position of the gun with a pencil, but also brings substance to his other role as the deceased.

Anthony Taufa and Marco Chiappi are both outstanding as defence and prosecutor respectively, as they both pursue their separate outcomes.

Blazey Best shines in her duel roles as Edith Beiger, Shirley’s harridan of a mother and as Gill, a Chequers’ showgirl, who brings the house to a stop with her rendition of Australian Crawl’s Reckless.

Presiding over the proceedings is a judge, chosen from the audience each night.

The show ends with a mash-up of Aussie classic including AC/DC’s JailBreak and The Angels’ Will I Ever See You Face Again, with the cast in Shirley wigs and a muffled response.

This is a great comedy that never underplays that, at its heart, and in the midst of the public support surrounding Shirley, a man lost his life.

Well done to Sydney Festival director Olivia Ansell for suggesting the Darlinghurst Courthouse as the venue – hopefully it will be the only time we are inside it.