In 1961, a year in which members of Keighley Little Theatre introduced a mid-summer production, decorated their foyer, discussed reading works "of a more serious and adventurous nature", and gave plays by the likes of Ibsen and Anouilk, it was appropriate that they should rise to the challenge of Herman Wouk's "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial."

Originally directed by Charles Laughton, in California, in 1953, and filmed the following year starring Humphrey Bogart, this play, with its all-male cast and American accents, demanded "the cream of the Little Theatre's acting talent."

Here Trevor Mackwell as Lieutenant Stephen Maryk, the officer accused of unlawfully taking control of his neurotic captain's ship, is questioned by the late Jack Hepworth as Lieutenant Commander John Challe, the prosecutor.

The experienced Mr Hepworth had moved to Keighley in 1956 from Horbury, where as a member of Wakefield Little Theatre and the Horbury Pageant Players he had appeared in more than 30 plays and had produced half-a-dozen. His otherwise "immaculate performance" as Leiutenant Commander Challe was marred only by his occasional lapses into a semi-Scottish accent!

"The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" is not a straightforward courtroom drama, and the local lady who was afterwards overheard commenting "I still don't know who was guilty!" probably spoke for a number of the audience.

Sadly it was not a box-office success here, but the Keighley News thought it "one of the Little Theatre's best shows."

The photograph was supplied by Miss Susan J Hepworth, of Mirfield.