Whanganui theatre production a dark Victorian tale of mayhem and murder

Sarah Riley Curtis and Talia Annear rehearsing for Amdram production Yours Truly. Photo/Supplied

Murders most foul committed by the unidentified Jack the Ripper in London 130 years ago are the subject of Amdram Wanganui's latest production.

Yours Truly is a gothic love story of betrayal, sacrifice, power and of man's desire for immortality written by NZ playwright Albert Belz.

Directed by Graham Dack, Yours Truly has a cast of experienced Whanganui actors - Sarah Riley-Curtis, Julian Annear, Chris McKenzie, Ben Broughton, Sandi Black and Talia Annear.

Only one man can stop the Ripper but he must sacrifice the woman he loves, and open himself to the devil in order to defeat him.

Dack says the script was sent to him by his actress daughter and he is enthused about how well rehearsals are going.

"There is still so much intrigue surrounding the murders and the male characters in the play include Prince Edward VII and royal physician William Gull who have both been cited as possible suspects.

"Then there is Walter Sickert, the artist investigated by crime writer Patricia Cornwall."

Cornwall spent hundreds of hours and an estimated £7 million on research and DNA testing for her book Ripper: The Secret Life of Walter Sickert.

Dack says the audience will be at the centre of the action as the play will be performed around them.

"It's a very fast moving play and the actors need to step from one scene into the next.

"We're going for a sepia-toned Victorian look and artists Dan Mills and Simon Ormerod have painted an amazing set."

Dack says the play is a perfect vehicle for wardrobe manager and steampunk aficionado Terry Lobb to produce some wonderful costumes for the characters as well.

When Belz directed a production of Yours Truly at Auckland's Te Pou Theatre in 2016, NZ Herald reviewer Dione Joseph described it as "an insightful commentary on humanity at its most fearful".

"Yours Truly is a contemporary work that is attractive because of its superior literary flourishes - and despite the macabre narrative, it offers hope, humour and unexpected twists."

Yours Truly: Amdram Musical Theatre, 171 Guyton St. Wednesday, April 3 until Saturday, April 13. R18. Book at Whanganui iSite or online at iTicket.