I WAS fortunate enough to be at the first – and sadly last – performance of Witness for the Prosecution at the wonderful Keighley Playhouse on Monday evening last week.

The Government announcement about coronavirus was made less than two hours before the curtain went up on the first night.

What to do? Cast, crew and front-of-house staff were in place, doors were open, and the audience on its way.

In the circumstances, the only option was to proceed with the evening's performance.

Understandably, the audience was down in number. But we 42 enjoyed a super evening's entertainment. What a professional performance from a cast who after seven weeks' rehearsal, went on stage knowing that this was to be the only performance! They were terrific, as was the courtroom drama, grippingly told by a very talented cast and ably supported by backstage crew.

And what a moment at final curtain when director Kevin Moore, understandably emotional, made a brief curtain speech, explaining that the show could not continue its week's run.

The rapport then between cast and audience was remarkable, as prolonged mutual applause rang around the playhouse. We applauded them, and they us!

Well done Keighley!

ROBIN MARTIN

Riddlesden

* E-mail your letters to alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk