Everyone in the play has about two or three different characters in scenes, trying to keep ahead of the audience as they move from one scene to the next
The name Gabriel Read has been synonymous with the Central Otago gold rush ever since he made public the first discovery of gold, said David Cantwell, the man chosen to play the part.
"It was shortly after he discovered it [gold] that the news was released by an article in the newspaper and thousands of people flocked to Central Otago chasing gold, so he probably lost out on a lot by releasing that information."
He said Read seemed to be an ethical and honest man, unlike a lot of people at that time.
"He could have kept the discovery a secret, but I think he did feel an obligation to the wider community .. instead of just money-grabbing greed."
Mr Cantwell will not only play the character of Read, but also a judge, a poet and "an Irishman, who likes to drink but then denies it, who I rather like playing".
"Everyone in the play has about two or three different characters in scenes, trying to keep ahead of the audience as they move from one scene to the next," he said.
A longtime Central Otago resident himself, Mr Cantwell grew up in Alexandra, often visiting Queenstown where his father had a business.
After leaving town "like everybody does", he ran a furniture manufacturing business in Auckland. He returned to Central Otago 12 years ago, to retire to Arrowtown, where he became involved in the theatre.
"I really do enjoy it and it's great to have the opportunity to play the part of somebody you are not.
"I even love the rehearsals - just the whole production."
There will be eight performances of Greed, Glamour and Grudges - Tales of Gold on January 27, 28 and 29 as part of the Queenstown Lakes District Council's Summerdaze festivities.
