The age old tale of Jekyll & Hyde will be brought to life by amateur musical theatre group Cygnet Players at the Putney Arts Theatre next week.

The south London theatre group will be performing their own musical adaption of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, which many say could be considered a fictional account of the extremes of bipolar disorder, though Stevenson wrote it well before the condition was even named.

Honorary life president of the group and director of the show Jeff Raggett said: "The story of Jekyll & Hyde is set in the 19th century, long before bipolar was understood.

"But these days there is so much that can be done to help and we wanted to raise awareness of the issue as well as putting on an excellent production.

"The musical is extremely challenging, but the cast has pulled together a fantastic show.

"I'm so proud of them and I can't wait to see them in action!"

Set in 19th Century London, Jekyll & Hyde tells the story of Dr Henry Jekyll who, whilst trying to cure his father’s illness, unwittingly releases his own evil counterpart, Edward Hyde.

Hyde proceeds to wreak havoc on the streets of London, taking over Jekyll and murdering innocent people.

The group were not without their setbacks in preparing the show, with chairman Alan Reiss being forced to undergo a hip replacement at the age of 29.

“I was really disappointed to miss out on Jekyll & Hyde," he said.

"It has a fantastically talented cast that I wish I could have been part of and I know that the show will be awesome.”

Jekyll & Hyde, Putney Arts Theatre, Ravenna Road, September 22 to 26, 7.45pm (Saturday matinee, 2.30pm), £15. Call 07941 448 689 or visit putneyartstheatre.org.uk.