IN A fortuitous piece of planning the Phoenix Theatre Company presents Anastasia by Marcelle Maurette, which opens on Saturday and runs until Saturday, April 9.

Fortuitous because while preparations were being made for its production, unknown to them the BBC were also scheduling two major series on Imperial Russia: War and Peace and the fascinating three-part documentary on the Romanov Tsars of Russia culminating in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917 and the murder of his family. Anastasia tells the end of that tragic story.

The project began a year ago when local director Brian Jackson discovered Anastasia in a mixed set of plays. “I was immediately fascinated by it. It has all the elements of first class drama; mystery, ambition, ruthless characters and the prospect of love coming to the rescue”.

During the 1920s newspapers carried stories of a mysterious woman claiming to be Anastasia, a daughter of the Tsar who had somehow survived the massacre. Although unproven the rumours persisted and this play is a result.

As the plot ebbs and flows the audience will be left to decide the answer to the final tantalising question.

To book, call the box office at Rossiter Books, 01989 564464 or online at

ticketsource.co.uk/thephoenixtheatre.