The storyteller behind the experience
Meet Mark Rose-Christie
A lifelong interest in history, performance and the unexplained brought Mark Rose-Christie to a simple idea: turn South Africa’s ghost stories into experiences people can share.
From the Mystery Ghost archive
The man behind the top hat.
A life in performance, pictured in the Mystery Ghost archive.
Mark Rose-Christie, creator and storyteller, by candlelight.
The storyteller behind Mystery Ghost Productions. Original portrait presentation.
From Mark Rose-Christie’s earlier stage-illusion productions.
An archival photograph connected with the history of theatrical spirit shows.
The staircase image from the original Johannesburg story archive. Interpretations of the image form part of the story; it is not proof of a paranormal event.
From theatre to ghost tours
Mark’s background spans sociology and psychology, television and film, theatre, music and stage illusion. He lectured at the University of Port Elizabeth, now Nelson Mandela University, worked in television under Bill Faure, and produced the shark-film parody White Death.
His theatre work includes producing, directing and playing Judas in a South African production of Jesus Christ Superstar. As an illusionist, he developed large-scale shows, including Magic of the Future, drawing on his work as a pianist, singer, choreographer and dancer.
An idea that began in London
A trip on the London Ghost Bus with his cousin in 1988 inspired Mark to develop a South African experience. Discussions with historian Brian Jackson began in 1998. A serious road accident in 1999 interrupted both his illusion career and the tour’s launch.
SA’s Mystery Ghost Tours launched at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, now Makhanda, in 2001. The programme grew to eight South African cities, with historic hotel ghost dinners and haunted sleep-overs alongside the tours. The Murder & Crime production followed in August 2025.
Stories, research & showmanship
Mark’s interest in parapsychology, reported hauntings, near-death experiences and consciousness informs his storytelling. His work has contributed to books including Pat Hopkins’s Ghosts of South Africa, and he has appeared in television, radio and print coverage about the tours and the paranormal.
The productions combine historical settings and reported experiences with theatrical entertainment, demonstrations and visual effects. You can enjoy the stories as a curious visitor, a folklore enthusiast or a sceptic.
Explore the ghost tours · Discover the dinner show · See the crime tour
Join a public event or bring your group
Choose your
next experience.
Find a public date, or bring your own group. We’ll help you choose.