Ivar Kreuger, known as The Match King, was a financial genius during the 1920s into the early 30s. His empire crumbled in the stock market crash of 1929, which triggered the Great Depression. His dubious methods led to a century of Wall Street scandals and a raft of federal reforms.

He met an untimely death in 1932, being shot through the heart in a Paris Hotel, lying on satin sheets.

Kreuger’s stranger than fiction life is the inspiration for Ayn Rand’s “Night of January 16,” which opens Theatre One’s 2019 season on Friday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Alley Theatre in Middleboro.

The play, directed by Peg Saurman Holzemer, is for mature audiences only, is a thrilling murder trial.

A unique feature of the production is that members of the audience serve as the jurors for the trial.

“So, come join the fun with Theatre One and see if the jury of six volunteer jurors from the audience listen and determine if Bjorn Faulkner’s lover and business partner, Karen Andre, is guilty or not guilty,” a press release from Theatre One states.

Andre, played by Elizabeth Goulart of Fall River, is joined on stage with her defense attorney, Susan Salvesen of Marion, as she is Interrogated by district attorney Sheila Kelleher of Plymouth, while Judge Linda Merritt of Middleboro, tries to maintain order.

Also lining the courtroom on stage, are 11 other talented regional actors performing as witnesses and bailiff.

The show runs Friday and Saturday evenings, Jan 11,12 18 and 19, at 7:30 p.m., as well as Sunday afternoons Jan 13 and 20 at 2 p.m.

Doors open a half hour prior to show. Free parking is available in the town hall parking lot. General admission tickets are $20, Senior and student tickets are $18. Cash only.

Theatre One collects food donations at all performances for the Middleboro COA Senior Pantry. For reservations for groups of four or more, call 1-774-213-5193.