Strange things are scuttling down the darkened corridors of Auckland Museum this Halloween. If you're after a truly unique spooking, and plenty of fun, the Museum is the place to be.
Put on your fancy dress (if you feel like it), grab a torch and explore the Museum's galleries as they come alive with a host of characters. Meet a beleaguered Victorian policeman doing his best to keep the streets safe for young and old, an overeager school dental nurse keen to make sure your teeth don't fall into the same rotten state as her own, and Miss Spinneretta, who has been overfeeding her pet spider Tiny with alarming results.
Listen to the ghost of the founder of Auckland Museum, John Alexander Smith, as he tells a ghost story about the Grey Lady, who will herself make an appearance to dispense sad thoughts on the nature of time.
In between discussing the afterlife with the Egyptian noble woman Neferet there will be favourite Halloween activities and competitions, as well as a gory blood-red chocolate fountain. All visitors will receive 'trick-or-treat' goodies and a yummy treat at the end of the night. Prizes will be given for the best fancy dress costumes.
Guests will be given their own map to navigate the galleries at your own pace and encounter the Museum's various Halloween inhabitants.
On Saturday evening after 8pm the Museum has an R13 rating After this time the evening will get a bit scarier in the galleries; there will be more frights in the dark and the characters will be more intense.
Experience the darker side of Auckland Museum this Halloween. Don't worry about the weather or your family's safety; just bring a torch and roam around the Museum and trick-or-treat till your heart's content.
A couple of characters you will encounter on the night:
Constable Pollock: "Ullo, 'ullo, ullo Constable Pollock here, on duty, on the beat, back on patrol after catching a quick forty winks. It's exhausting work trying to keep these streets clean of vagabonds, vagrants and the mischief makers who came out after dark to make themselves pests and nuisances for good people like yourselves. Too much work, really, for a solitary bobby on the beat, getting rid of all these idlers. In fact, what you are doing standing there? If you don't want to be arrested for vagrancy you'd better give me hand running some of these miscreants off the street. Come on now."
Nursie Nook: "What lovely smiles you have. Ah yes, beautiful pearly whites. Look at those lovely molars! My word I wish I'd looked after my teeth when I was young, that's why you should hop up here and let me have a closer look. Cavities are depravities, that's what I say, so no chewy sweets for you. Open wide, that's right, now just say 'aaaah' and stick out your tongue!"
Most suitable for children aged 7 years and over - please note Saturday from 8pm will be R13.
No Halloween at Auckland Museum activities will take place in First and Second World War Memorial Galleries due to their solemn and commemorative nature.
All the details
Evenings: Saturday, October 30, 6pm-10pm. Sunday, October 31, 6pm-8pm. Doors open at 6pm sharp.
Adults and children (3 years and over): $25. Groups of 10 or more: $20 (applies to pre-sales only, ring 306 7048 to book). Members: $20 (applies to pre-sales only)
All bookings incur a one-off transaction fee of $3.
Book online at www.aucklandmuseum.com. Click on the Halloween at Auckland Museum banner on the home page. Groups of 10 people and over need to book by telephone on 306 7048.
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