Keighley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society’s production of “The Rebel Maid” played at the Hippodrome Theatre in Keighley for six nights from Monday 5th December 1932. The romantic light opera was written by Alexander M. Thompson, with lyrics by Gerald Dalton and music by Montague F. Phillips. Dalton and Phillips had actually created the opera while serving in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the First World War. The musical director was Joseph Harker, while the producer was Herbert Coates. KAODS had first performed “The Rebel Maid” ten years earlier in 1922.
The story is set in the autumn of 1688 and centres around the rebellion against the Stuart dynasty, in the form of King James II, led by Prince William of Orange (played by local photographer W. Bruce Johnston). The action takes place in the mansion of Lord Milverton (played by Donald Ackroyd) on the coast of Devon, the local inn ‘The Jolly Fishers’ and the village green. Amongst the plots and counter-plots is a romance between Derek Lanscombe (Arthur Day) and Lady Mary Trefusis (Edith Robson, who had played the role for KAODS in 1922), who’s secret identity is ‘Snow Bunting’ a.k.a. the Rebel Maid. The production also starred John H. Crabtree, William Emmett, John Pickles, Arthur B. Hird, Albert E. Shepherd, Norman Boyes, Hylda Stell, Margaret Best, Edna Whitaker, Mabel Feather and Phyllis Turner.
The 40-page programme was printed by The Keighley Printers Ltd. of High Street, Keighley. The programme was part of an anonymous donation given in 2022. The photo montage was created by Tim Neal in 2022.
