Burke and Hare: Body Snatchers, Serial Killers, Ulstermen
Join Dark historian Andrew Johnston of Alternative Ulstours as he brings us his 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell-out talk about William Burke and William Hare.
Andrew tells the ghoulish tale of the infamous miscreants, from their origins in rural Ulster to the shocking murders in 1820s Edinburgh that made them arguably the first modern serial killers.
The talk will remember Burke and Hare’s victims, and reveal what became of the duo, their wives and the doctors who paid for fresh cadavers during the body snatching era.
Andrew will reclaim the two Willies from Scotland for the north of Ireland in this informative and entertaining evening of horror and true crime.
Reviews from Edinburgh 2025:
“Andrew is a great narrator and delivers his show with passion, humour and tons of research. 5 stars” – Joan, audience member
“Best show so far at Edinburgh” – Phelim, audience member
“The performance was informative, entertaining and fascinating. Highly recommended” – John, audience member
“A really enjoyable show. Well researched, engaging and entertaining” – Kevin, audience member
“Andrew’s show was most enjoyable: thoroughly researched, equally macabre and entertaining” – Ivor, audience member
