THESE pupils look as if they have hardly a care in the world.

Some of those in front are slouching, giving the impression that their day’s work is over.

In fact, the hard work was about to begin.

They were pupils at The Cherwell School, in Marston Ferry Road, Oxford, and had been chosen to take part in a challenging play, The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

The picture was taken as they prepared to start rehearsals.

It was clearly a period when long hair, beards, moustaches and brightly-coloured jumpers were in fashion.

The photograph was sent in by one of the actors, Chris Boswell, of Williamson Way, Rose Hill, who is third from the left in the front row.

We know the names of only two other performers – John (Joe) Ballance and Tim McGill, in the front row from the left.

We are sure that Memory Lane readers will come forward and identify others.

Once rehearsals were complete, the pupils, all members of the school drama class, performed the play in front of parents and other children at the school.

The Caucasian Chalk Circle, a play by German playwright Bertolt Brecht, tells the story of a peasant girl who sacrifices everything to protect a child abandoned in the heat of civil war.

Once peace is restored, she is made to confront the boy's biological mother in a legal contest over who deserves to keep him.

The comical judge calls on an ancient tradition – the chalk circle – to resolve the dispute.

Brecht wrote the play in 1944 while living in the United States.

It was translated into English by his friend and admirer, Eric Bentley, and over the years has been performed by many British theatre companies.

Any memories of the Cherwell production? And can anyone name the other actors and actresses?