Gay Blackmail Drama Hits Auckland Stage in One Man Show

Gay Blackmail Drama Hits Auckland Stage in One Man Show

A sensational gay blackmail drama based on a notorious piece of New Zealand criminal history hit the stage at the Vault Q Theatre, from 12th to 16th August.

One of Those written by and featuring well-known New Zealand actor, David Charteris, is directed by Legacy Project founder, Bruce Brown.

David Charteris, last seen on New Zealand television as Richard Glastone in Shortland Street explains: `In 1920, the Mayor of Wanganui, Charles Mackay, shot but did not kill the soldier and poet D'Arcy Cresswell who was blackmailing him to resign the mayoralty or he would expose him as a homosexual. The trial was a sensation at the time and Mackay, who was married, received 15 years hard labour, served seven and then he was shot, by mistake, by a policeman in Berlin in 1929.’

Mr Charteris adds: `Cresswell went on to become well known in literary circles although his verse and contribution to New Zealand literature has long fallen into oblivion, but what I have tried to do in this hour long performance is resurrect the colourful character of this self-opinionated blackmailer. Both sides of the encounter are given, tracing the tragic consequences of the trial to the final humiliation that brought Cresswell to his own suicide.’

One of Those: 12th - 16 August @ 7.30pm Tickets $20 from Q Theatre, 09 3099771

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