THIS motley stageful of characters were all boys and youths, irrespective of how they are dressed. They were the cast of a play put on by the Keighley Trade and Grammar School, and judging by their costumes it was most probably 'William Tell' in March of 1909. The Swiss patriot sits on the front row with his wife, son and daughter, his father-in-law and neighbours, backed by a chorus of Swiss peasants and Austrian soldiers.

The Keighley News of the time commented on how "it sounded rather odd at first to hear the female characters carrying on conversation in male voices, but the audience soon disregarded this incongruity, so capitally did the boys portray their characters." Notice, however, the third boy from the left and his unladylike way of sitting!

The "vari-hued costumes" and a "pretty dance" were especially commended, together with the staging by members of the Manual Training Department.

As was customary with these school plays, 'William Tell' was preceded by 'an exhibition of physical drill'. That year's exercises were those performed by the English team at the London Olympic Games in 1908, with which the school's physical training instructor Herbert Hoyle had been involved.

The photograph was supplied by Mr Michael Shearing, of Skipton Road, Utley, whose grandfather helped produce a number of school plays.