THE Athenaeum Limelight Players have chosen Leonard Caddy's Jeykll and Hyde as their autumn production, running at the theatre in Warminster High Street from November 30-December 3.

The star of the show, Robert Billen says: 'Being involved in Jekyll and Hyde is something of a dream come true, an iconic story and an iconic character. There is so much to get stuck into. Rehearsals have been very good, it is a pleasure to be surrounded by such a good cast, I do genuinely believe it is one of the best casts I have been a part of and everyone is doing really well. Everyone is working really hard and I think it will be a very good show.”

Producer Bethan Davies observes : 'Jekyll and Hyde is a study in good and evil, a focus on mental health problems and drug addiction. It will be a journey for the audience to find out which side of our eponymous hero/villain will win the battle"

Director Graham Thomas explains: ""I have always had a strong affinity with the story of Jekyll and Hyde ever since my young cousin Peter was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia back in the 70s when he was a teenager. His life was a sad and troubled one that ended with his tragic suicide. In many ways his life parallels the life of Jekyll in this story. As his illness grew he developed two sides that were distinct yet of the same man. It was disturbing and shocking to witness the struggles he went through.

"When I first read this version by Leonard Caddy I was deeply moved and since that time I have always wanted to direct it. I am grateful for Athenaeum Limelight Players (ALPs) for giving me this opportunity to do so.

"In directing this version of Jekyll & Hyde I wanted it first of all to be a tribute to my cousin Peter who struggled with mental illness, as well as to all the people in this country who are going through the same thing. "I also wanted it to be a reminder that mental illness is not something that we lock

away in a closet and say doesn’t exist. It does; and as a society we need to face it, in better ways than we are doing at the moment.

"Added to the element of mental illness within the play is another one, that of drug addiction. The moment Jekyll begins taking his potion he changes. In short, he begins to exhibit the symptoms of drug addiction.

"My other chief reason for doing is because it is a great story, a classic story and highly entertaining if not a little creepy. But this play has been a true team effort. The wonderful, amazing cast bought into the vision and have created an excellent performance supported by the first class stage management team and the technical team.

"Whatever you take away from seeing this show I hope you are thoroughly entertained and hopefully a little pensive."

Adela Forestier-Walker of the Players said: "This novel is being studied as part of the school curriculum this year - and as a result we are offering special discounted tickets to school parties.

"The first night of ALPs shows are always a charity night and this time we thought it appropriate to support Rethink Mental Health."

Tickets, at £10, £12.50 on the charity night, are on sale now from 01985 213891/www.theath.org.uk