The scandalous story of the murder of Timaru founding father and mayor Captain Henry Cain will be brought to life on stage next year.
The play had its beginnings 20 years ago, when someone suggested to Timaru playwright and director Carol Angland that she should write a play about him, and she began research.
One of Timaru’s earliest residents, Capt Cain died in 1886 at the age of 70 after being poisoned by his son›in›law Thomas Hall.
After two decades of writing, a play depicting the story of the shocking murder of Timaru’s founding father and second mayor Capt Henry Cain will be taking to the stage next year.
Carol Angland started her research at the museum and at the library.
She has been working at it steadily and said that he seemed to be an interesting and colourful character.
‘‘It feels exciting and encouraging to bring Timaru history to the stage,’’ Mrs Angland said.
The play is being produced by the repertory section of the South Canterbury’s Drama League which has produced over 140 plays and shows.
These have all been produced by volunteers like Mrs Angland and repertory section chairman Jon Harris, who have dedicated their time and resources to bringing these plays to life.
Mr Harris said this was a special event for the repertory section and the Drama League as they celebrate 90 years of the repertory section after it was founded in 1933.
Mr Harris said it was only appropriate to perform the play at the celebration and ‘‘I offered to help her [Mrs Angland] bring it to the stage’’.
Mrs Angland has been writing plays since she was eight years old and has been involved with plays for most of her life.
The reading of the play took place earlier this month and Mrs Angland said it was really great.
‘‘The response was encouraging and just to hear voices reading it was helpful,’’ she said.
The play is set to take place on May 20 next year with auditions being held in November with parts available for all ages.
Mr Harris said that a history of the repertory section is being written by Anne Ellis, which will be included in the programme and that the play is ‘‘an entertaining history lesson’’.
