To mark this year's 300th anniversary of the city of St Petersburg, the Colwall Players have chosen to present a dramatisation of one of the most intriguing mysteries of last century.

In July 1918, deposed Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, his family and members of his Imperial household were massacred. At least, that is what people were told . . .

Two years later, a young woman was rescued from a Berlin canal and eventually claimed to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, daughter of the Tsar.

Bones, believed to be those of the family were exhumed in 1991, but Anastasia's were not there. Did Anastasia survive?

The Anastasia File, by Royce Ryton, is a dramatisation of the life of the mystery woman from the time of her canal rescue to shortly before her death in 1984.

Playing the role of Anastasia is Harriet Elkins, with Andrew Howie as the police inspector who upholds her cause.

Both have performed with the company many times. The other 53 characters will be played by a versatile company of 10 actors.

Director Marie-Louise Doherty said: "Few murder mysteries have more historical intrigue than the story of what really happened to the Romanov family, even today, nothing in this story is final."

The play, which runs from Thursday (October 23) to Saturday, October 25, will give audiences the chance to make up their own minds about the real fate of Anastasia, the true identity of the mystery woman and what happened to the Romanov family's millions.

Performances start at 8pm at Colwall Village Hall. Tickets are £6 and £3, from John Goodwin Estate Agents on 01684 540300.