Whangārei Girls' High School's production Albert Black, written by Northland playwright Peter Larsen, is set in the 1950s and depicts the true story of Albert (Paddy Black), known as the Jukebox Killer.
Audiences can expect strong performances and an "absorbing" storyline from a Whangārei school's latest play.
Bill Walker, Whangārei Girls' High School drama teacher, said this year's graduation production Albert Black, written by Northland playwright Peter Larsen, is set in the 1950s and depicts the true story of Albert (Paddy) Black,known as the Jukebox Killer. He was hanged after thrusting a knife into Alan Jaques, better known as Johnny McBride, at a notorious milk bar after Jaques dished out a severe beating to Black the night before.
"There's rock'n'roll, there's booze and they're smoking like chimneys and that sort of stuff, so there is an element of fun in it. It's also shocking and then there's these moments of violence - and the violence is brutal," Walker said.
The play also follows the story of Freddie Foster who was the second-to-last youth to be hanged after he killed his girlfriend in Sommervelles Milk Bar just three months before Jaques was killed.
Walker said the play explores the rise of rock'n'roll, the emergence of bodgies, widgies and teddy boys, a country's moral outrage, and the manipulation by a government facing an election and using the noose as a political weapon.
Whangarei Girls' High School student Hannah Kelly said it was intense learning about the story of Albert Black. Photo / John Stone
Hannah Kelly, who plays Albert Black, hadn't heard of the story until they started reading the script.
"You have to be able to develop your character so you have to learn about the story and how it affected the people. It was a bit intense because I didn't know what happened."
Walker said it had been logistically challenging putting the play together as there are 90 scenes. He was hoping to have the first run-through of the show yesterday.
"I would usually have expected a run-through by now but with so many scenes - most plays only have 20 - and with lighting cues and sound cues, it's been challenging."
Dame Fiona Kidman will be attending the opening night of the Whangarei production. Photo / File
Walker said the story of Albert Black and his hanging was made topical again after the release of Dame Fiona Kidman's novel This Mortal Boy. And Dame Fiona will be attending the opening night.
"It's a bit intimidating because you don't want to let people down. You want to try portray the story as accurately as you can and the characters as accurately as you can so it's intimidating in a good way," said Hannah.
Albert Black opens in the Hall Theatre at Whangārei Girls' High tonightat 7pm with night performances until Saturday. There is also a matinee performance at 2pm on Sunday.
