tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72040928913794671202012-02-14T10:30:59.304ZAlan Ayckbourn News BlogAll the latest news about Alan Ayckbourn and his plays compiled by the playwright's Archivist Simon Murgatroyd in association with www.alanayckbourn.netSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.comBlogger1181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-18327723853174613782012-02-14T09:11:00.000Z2012-02-14T09:11:06.445ZProduction Spotlight: The Norman Conquests (Liverpool)
The Liverpool Playhouse has just announced it will be staging Alan Ayckbourn's classic trilogy The Norman Conquests from May.
The complete trilogy, which has rarely been completely staged professionally in the UK since the triumphant Old Vic production in 2008, will be at the Playhouse between 25 May and 23 June offering a welcome opportunity to see the acclaimed trilogy.
The Norman Conquests Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-58772663935592459472012-02-13T09:22:00.003Z2012-02-13T09:22:55.328ZThis Week In History: 13 FebruaryA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
14 February: London premieres of Alan Ayckbourn's Man Of The Moment at the Globe Theatre in 1990 and Snake In The Grass at The Print Room in 2011.
17 February: American premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Woman In Mind at Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-49102825841142940112012-02-10T09:13:00.003Z2012-02-14T10:30:59.313ZAbsent Friends (Harold Pinter Theatre) reviewsThe West End revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Absent Friends, directed by Jeremy Herrin, has now opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London.
We'll be running extracts from the major reviews on this page as well as providing links to the complete reviews. Further details about the actual production and how to book can be found at www.absentfriendstheplay.com.
Latest update: Tuesday 14 February - Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-80821838343253511542012-02-09T10:05:00.000Z2012-02-10T09:07:20.874ZAbsent Friends opens tonightThe West End revival of Absent Friends opens tonight at there Harold Pinter Theatre and the blog will be carrying the reviews from tomorrow.
This production, directed by Jeremy Herrin, marks the first West End revival of Alan Ayckbourn's classic 1974 play since its first London production in 1975.
The cast features David Armand, Elizabeth Berrington, Katherine Parkinson, Steffan Rhodri, Reece Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-41470424575669060392012-02-08T10:06:00.000Z2012-02-08T10:06:29.070Z
Ask The Archivist is a regular feature allowing you to put your Alan Ayckbourn related questions to the playwright's archivist Simon Murgatroyd.
If you have a question regarding any aspect of Alan's work, email it to: ask@alanayckbourn.net and we'll publish any interesting questions.
Question: Is it true that Alan Ayckbourn originally wrote a version of Absurd Person Singular Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-15359742823582752412012-02-06T14:56:00.003Z2012-02-06T21:03:47.777ZChichester Festival Theatre announces Ayckbourn to direct Absurd Person Singular and new playChichester Festival Theatre has confirmed Alan Ayckbourn will be directing a revival of his classic play Absurd Person Singular as well as his new play Surprises this summer.
The theatre has just launched its 50th anniversary season which includes a co-production with the Stephen Joseph Theatre of the two Ayckbourn plays.
Both play are in repertory from 8 August to 8 September and will be Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-48142534773275159072012-02-06T09:31:00.003Z2012-02-06T09:31:35.309ZThis Week In History: 6 February
A regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
6 February: Broadcast premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Just Between Ourselves on BBC Radio in 1984.
8 February: London revival of Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical By Jeeves opens at the Landor Theatre in 2011Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-46407351566128088232012-02-03T15:20:00.005Z2012-02-03T15:30:40.980ZProduction Spotlight: Taking Steps at OldhamProduction Spotlight is a new feature on the Alan Ayckbourn News Blog looking at forthcoming professional productions of Alan Ayckbourn's play across the UK.
Oldham Coliseum is launching into 2012 with a production of Alan Ayckbourn's popular farce Taking Steps.
Veteran Ayckbourn director and actor Robin Herford is directing the acclaimed 1979 farce which marks the first of the Coliseum's Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-53226026710800441732012-02-02T10:18:00.001Z2012-02-03T15:05:46.901ZNew additions to the Interviews / Articles ArchiveThree extensive new articles on Alan Ayckbourn's career have been added to the Interviews section in the Research Hub of his official website.
The articles either by Alan Ayckbourn or featuring quotes from Alan were originally published in souvenir programmes programmes marking significant events.
Ayckbourn At 50: An article published to coincide with playwright's 50th birthday and the world Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-80585998920208878572012-02-01T09:09:00.000Z2012-02-01T09:09:05.742ZProductions Round-Up: February 2012A brief monthly round-up of notable forthcoming professional productions of Alan Ayckbourn's plays. Click on a venue to visit the relevant website page.
Productions Directed By Alan Ayckbourn
Neighbourhood Watch
Alan Ayckbourn's acclaimed latest play is currently on a UK tour with Alan Ayckbourn directing the original company.
Cambridge Arts Theatre (until 4 February)
Richmond Theatre Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-3481089222591776652012-01-31T09:49:00.001Z2012-01-31T09:49:28.390ZAsk The Archivist: 31 January 2012Ask The Archivist is a regular feature allowing you to put your Alan Ayckbourn related questions to the playwright's archivist Simon Murgatroyd.
If you have a question regarding any aspect of Alan's work, email it to: ask@alanayckbourn.net and we'll publish any interesting questions.
Question: Which, if any, of Alan Ayckbourn's plays have been published in a digital format?
Answer: Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-87935185773629034162012-01-30T10:38:00.004Z2012-01-30T10:40:40.153ZThis Week In History: 30 JanuaryA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
31 January: Alan Ayckbourn takes the Chair of Cameron Macintosh Professor Of Contemporary Theatre at Oxford University for a year.
1 February: Alan Ayckbourn receives his CBE from HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1997.
2 February: Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-73362513615916375792012-01-27T12:31:00.002Z2012-01-27T12:36:52.073ZAyckbourn News BitesA round-up of Ayckbourn related news stories...
Audience reaction to the first night of Absent Friends
The website www.WinkBall.com was at the opening of Absent Friends in the West End last night filming audience comments before and after the production. You can see what people had to say about the production here (the main video on the video wall is a montage of audience comments); note this isSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-35417658061188100222012-01-26T09:56:00.001Z2012-01-26T09:56:02.647ZAbsent Friends opens tonight in the West EndThe first West End revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Absent Friends since 1975 opens in the West End tonight.
Regarded as one of Alan's key plays of the 1970s, this production is directed by Jeremy Herrin and produced by Sonia Friedman, who also produced the Old Vic's acclaimed 2008 production of The Norman Conquests and its subsequent Broadway transfer.
The cast features David Armand, Elizabeth Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-65298352874597612032012-01-25T09:34:00.003Z2012-01-25T09:34:38.166ZAlan Ayckbourn at the National TheatreIt's a tenuous link today, but on this day in 1988 the National Theatre premiered Alan Ayckbourn's production of John Ford's 'Tis Pity She's A Whore.
This practically marked the end of Alan's two year sabbatical to the National Theatre between 1986 and 1988 as a company director at the venue. Initially offered the chance to come to the National by Peter Hall, the plan had been for Alan to produceSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-91519683061346888742012-01-24T10:11:00.000Z2012-01-24T20:18:34.305ZAsk The Archivist: 24 January 2012
Ask The Archivist is a regular feature allowing you to put your Alan Ayckbourn related questions to the playwright's archivist Simon Murgatroyd.
If you have a question regarding any aspect of Alan's work, email it to: ask@alanayckbourn.net and we'll publish any interesting questions.
Question: Whilst reading the original reviews of Absent Friends (and several other plays from the '70s) at Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-49126866085299899052012-01-23T09:24:00.001Z2012-01-23T09:24:02.953ZThis Week In History: 23 January 2012
A regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
24 January: The BBC broadcasts an episode of its television arts series Omnibus featuring Alan Ayckbourn in discussion with Michael Billington and Barry Norman about his career in 1982.
25 January: Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-36437747036359052882012-01-20T09:22:00.003Z2012-01-20T09:24:34.665ZAlan Ayckbourn on Absent FriendsTo mark the forthcoming revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Absent Friends in London's West End, we have an archival interview with the playwright about the play.
In 1997, Alan Ayckbourn revived Absent Friends at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, and talked to his now Archivist Simon Murgatroyd about the play, its place in his writing career and its themes.
Absent Friends can be seen at the HaroldSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-6834876480874796812012-01-18T09:33:00.000Z2012-01-18T09:33:36.208ZNeighbourhood UK tour launches todayAlan Ayckbourn's latest acclaimed play Neighbourhood Watch begins a UK tour today.
The playwright's 75th play has recently finished a successful New York transfer and now embarks on a four month tour culminating with a four week residency in London.
Alan Ayckbourn directs the original company of Eileen Battye, Terence Booth, Phil Cheadle, Matthew Cottle, Richard Derrington, Frances Grey, Amy Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-18811339005526449442012-01-17T09:10:00.000Z2012-02-02T10:58:31.498ZNew Feature: Ask The ArchivistThe Alan Ayckbourn New Blog launches a new (hopefully) regular feature for 2012 today with Ask The Archivist.
Alan Ayckbourn's Archivist and Administrator of this blog and the playwright's official website www.alanayckbourn.net, Simon Murgatroyd, wants to hear your questions regarding the history of Alan Ayckbourn and his plays.
So if there's a burning question you have regarding any aspect of Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-46567418672648957342012-01-16T09:22:00.000Z2012-01-16T09:22:46.809ZThis Week In History: 16 January 2012A regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
17 January: World premieres of Alan Ayckbourn's Joking Apart and Suburban Strains at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough, in 1978 and 1980 respectively.
18 January: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Ten Times Table at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-76734138467722465802012-01-13T10:04:00.004Z2012-01-13T10:05:52.993ZSonia Friedman on reviving Absent Friends in the West EndWith a major revival of Absent Friends about to open in London's West End, the producer Sonia Friedman has spoken of her motivation for the revival.
In an article in The Times on 11 January, the hugely successful producer of plays in the West End and on Broadway - including The Old Vic's 2008 production of Alan's The Norman Conquests and its subsequent New York transfer - offers a surprising Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-56786990310374847692012-01-10T09:29:00.001Z2012-01-10T09:29:49.037ZPop Culture: PointlessThe first in a (very) occasional and largely irreverent series looking at Alan Ayckbourn in popular culture.
If you were watching the BBC's popular tea-time quiz show Pointless last night, you would have had a chance to show off your knowledge of Alan Ayckbourn and other playwrights.The quiz featured a question which asked the contestants to show their theatre knowledge by naming the playwright Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-75444945140199784942012-01-09T09:45:00.002Z2012-01-31T16:01:21.351ZProductions Round-Up: January 2012A brief monthly round-up of notable forthcoming professional productions of Alan Ayckbourn's plays. Click on a venue to visit the relevant website page.
Productions Directed By Alan Ayckbourn
Neighbourhood Watch
Alan Ayckbourn's acclaimed latest play embarks on a UK tour following its transfer to New York. Alan Ayckbourn directs the original company.
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (18 - 28 Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-51774916811403722812012-01-06T09:20:00.000Z2012-01-06T09:20:46.408ZAlan Ayckbourn interviews added to websiteThe recently launched Interviews section of www.alanayckbourn.net has been updated with several new interviews.
This update is the first of several planned in the coming months drawing in both new and archival interviews with Alan Ayckbourn about his plays and career in theatre.
The extensive and exclusive reproduction of the BBC documentary Imagine's interview with Alan Ayckbourn has now been Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-69931025180229292742012-01-05T14:06:00.000Z2012-01-05T14:06:08.276ZThe Stage 100The Stage has released its annual listing of the 100 key theatre industry figures over the past 12 months with Alan Ayckbourn once again making the list in the Playwrights section.
A regular figure in The Stage 100 listing over the years, Alan's contribution to theatre in 2011 and in the coming months was recognised by the industry newspaper.
The Stage's listing reads: "British Theatre's most Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-25914285351957972062012-01-05T10:21:00.000Z2012-01-05T10:21:14.234ZA Small Family Business in New YorkAlan Ayckbourn's Neighbourhood Watch may have just finished a successful run in New York, but there's another event for Ayckbourn fans coming up soon.
WYNC Radio has just confirmed the second of its four events in The Work Of Alan Ayckbourn series, this time focussing on one of his most critically acclaimed plays of the 1980s, A Small Family Business.The events take place at The Greene Space in Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-86717331344593519312012-01-04T10:02:00.001Z2012-01-04T10:09:40.799ZYear By Year section relaunchedAs part of ongoing improvements to Alan Ayckbourn's Official Website www.alanayckbourn.net, a new year-by-year guide to Alan Ayckbourn's professional life has been launched.
The chronological guide to Alan's life has been completely redesigned and enhanced with new information offering a comprehensive guide to key events during every year of the playwright's life between 1955 and the present daySimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-73177981036968357372012-01-03T10:05:00.002Z2012-01-05T11:49:50.295ZThis Week In History: 3 & 9 JanuaryWelcome to 2012 at the Alan Ayckbourn News Blog. We kick off the year's blogs with a look at the first two weeks of the year in a historical context marking past Ayckbourn events in this period.
5 January: Scarborough revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Just Between Ourselves at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round in 1996.
6 January: Faber & Faber publishes Alan Ayckbourn's A Chorus Of Disapproval inSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-84924786645361593952011-12-28T13:42:00.001Z2011-12-28T15:59:40.364ZAlan Ayckbourn interviews at Playbill & GuardianThe Guardian and Playbill websites have just posted features on Alan Ayckbourn to tie in with his latest play's American premiere in New York.
The Guardian features an interview with Alan Ayckbourn about Neighbourhood Watch and playwriting and can be found here.
The Playbill article transcribes some of the questions and answers from Alan Ayckbourn and Howard Sherman's recent talk at the 59E59 Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-88806533449082132092011-12-23T10:37:00.000Z2011-12-23T10:37:57.691ZMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year from alanayckbourn.netThe Alan Ayckbourn New Blog is taking a short Christmas break, so it's time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you for your support of this blog and Alan Ayckbourn's official Website. It has been the website's most successful year ever, which is wonderful news as we enter the 10th anniversary of the website being officially recognised by the playwright.
We have lots toSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-77936519560241357182011-12-22T10:20:00.001Z2011-12-22T10:21:42.709ZUnseen Ayckbourn - Perfect Christmas Reading!Just a shameless plug before Christmas about the website's first self-published ebook Unseen Ayckbourn, which is available as a free download.
Unseen Ayckbourn takes a trip into the Ayckbourn Archive with Alan Ayckbourn's Archivist Simon Murgatroyd, to look at some of the lesser known aspects of the playwright's long writing career.
It offers an insight into early ideas and concepts for existing Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-53722772855625538502011-12-20T10:00:00.000Z2011-12-20T10:00:05.308ZNeighbourhood Watch in New York over ChristmasJust a reminder that there are less than two weeks of performances left of Alan Ayckbourn's Neighbourhood Watch at the Brits Off Broadway festival.
Alan Ayckbourn's acclaimed 75th play is currently showing at the 59E59 Theaters, New York, until 1 January before it returns to the UK to tour in 2012.
The play, set on an estate where the residents take a neighbourhood watch scheme to extremes with Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-89920540088647569572011-12-19T09:16:00.002Z2011-12-30T20:04:04.697ZThis Week In History: 19 & 26 DecemberIt's a bumper edition of our regular look at Ayckbourn events in history this week, as there'll be no blog postings between 24 December and 2 January.
19 December: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Dad's Tale at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, in 1960.
20 December: Scarborough revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Absurd Person Singular at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round in 1989.
21 December: Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-92111912435389061032011-12-15T09:19:00.001Z2011-12-15T13:01:24.617ZImprovements and additions to the websiteWork has now begun on adding even more to Alan Ayckbourn's Official Website at www.alanayckbourn.net.
The website currently encompasses more than 3,000 pages of material about the playwright and his career in theatre, but throughout 2012 we'll be introducing several more features to mark the 10th anniversary of the website's existence.Today we've launched a new Interviews section in the Research Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-55547265741981382362011-12-14T09:40:00.000Z2011-12-14T09:40:56.855ZAbsent Friends : 10 FactsWith the announcement that Alan Ayckbourn's Absent Friends is to be revived in the West End from January 2012, now seems the perfect opportunity to revisit one of the playwright's pivotal works.
Here we present 10 facts about Absent Friends as a taster for the new production.
Absent Friends: 10 Facts
1) Absent Friends is the first play by Alan Ayckbourn set in real time (i.e. what you see Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-615052557254588542011-12-12T09:52:00.004Z2011-12-12T09:57:40.176ZThis Week In History: 12 DecemberA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
12 December: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Callisto 5 at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough, in 1990.
14 December: London premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Wildest Dreams at The Pit at the Barbican, London, marking the first Ayckbourn play to be Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-79173324436176934062011-12-09T10:37:00.003Z2011-12-09T16:19:24.616ZAbsent Friends in 2012 West End revivalAlan Ayckbourn's Absent Friends is being revived in the West End next month.
The acclaimed play from 1974 will be directed by Jeremy Herrin and produced by Sonia Friedman and will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 26 January.
The production will feature Kara Tointon as Evelyn, Reece Shearsmith as Colin, Elizabeth Berrington as Marge, Katherine Parkinson as Diana, David Armand as John and Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-66259357373909278232011-12-08T10:09:00.005Z2011-12-12T09:27:50.090ZNeighbourhood Watch In New York reviewsReviews for Alan Ayckbourn's Neighbourhood Watch at the 59E59 Theaters in New York are now coming in. We'll be offering a taster of the reviews on this page over the coming days as well as providing links to the complete reviews.
Theatermania.com (Andy Propst)
"Ayckbourn more often than not blends his hilarious comedy with his darker themes with tremendous success."
Click here for full review.
Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-83444729117619406682011-12-07T19:41:00.003Z2011-12-30T20:02:19.684ZSeason's Greetings on TV soon!In what will make many Ayckbourn fans' Christmas, the BBC has announced it will be screening its acclaimed 1986 adaptation of Season's Greetings later this month.
The film will be shown on BBC4 on Monday 19 December 2011 at 10pm, marking the first time it has been shown on the BBC for more than a decade (at least!).
Given that this is - as many of you who regularly read the blog will know - the Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-54790809713303217602011-12-06T09:36:00.001Z2011-12-07T09:32:26.544ZFrom New York To LondonWith all all the attention around Alan Ayckbourn's Neighbourhood Watch opening in New York and the announcement of his new play Surprises, the blog today focuses on another recent announcement.
On 24 November, it was announced Alan Ayckbourn's latest play Neighbourhood Watch would culminate its 2012 tour with a four week London residency at the Tricycle Theatre, London.
Aside from being very Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-64215530218000974302011-12-05T11:30:00.000Z2011-12-05T11:30:35.814ZAlan Ayckbourn's new play titled revealedThe title of Alan Ayckbourn's new play has been revealed as Surprises.
The playwright confirmed the title in New York to the BBC (click here) today, although no other details about the play have yet been confirmed.
Surprises will be the playwright's 76th play and was complete during November. The playwright had initially revealed the title of the play during Neighbourhood Watch's tour to The Old Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-80666009007632144582011-12-05T09:32:00.000Z2011-12-05T09:32:18.161ZThis Week In History: 5 DecemberA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
5 December: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn and Denis King's musical Whenever at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in 2000.
6 December: Scarborough revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Mr A's Amazing Maze Plays at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in 2006.
7 Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-50376902385042196792011-12-02T09:24:00.000Z2011-12-02T09:24:30.928ZNeighbourhood Watch In New York: Matthew CottleMatthew Cottle is one of the few actors to have been directed by Alan Ayckbourn in Scarborough, the West End and New York. Now appearing in the Neighbourhood Watch at the Brits Off Broadway festival, Matthew talks about his varied acting experiences with Alan Ayckbourn.
Matthew Cottle in
rehearsals for
Neighbourhood Watch
Copyright: James Drawneek
What was your first experience of an Alan Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-56290222544040121282011-12-01T09:08:00.002Z2011-12-01T09:16:47.841ZNeighbourhood Watch In New York: Richard DerringtonThe actor Richard Derrington has been working with Alan Ayckbourn since 1970. As part of our week long look at Alan’s latest play Neighbourhood Watch opening at the Brits Off Broadway festival, Richard talked about his role in the new play and his very first experiences of working with Alan Ayckbourn.
Alexandra Mathie & Richard
Derrington in rehearsals for
Neighbourhood Watch
Copyright: James Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-58257362164055012182011-11-30T09:10:00.000Z2011-11-30T09:10:47.701ZNeighbourhood Watch In New York: Alexandra Mathie & Amy LoughtonAlan Ayckbourn’s latest play Neighbourhood Watch opens tonight at the 59E59 Theaters, New York, as part of the Brits Off Broadway festival. In our week long look at Alan Ayckbourn at the festival, today we talk to the actors Alexandra Mathie and Amy Loughton about their thoughts on visiting New York with Neighbourhood Watch.
Alexandra Mathie, Matthew Cottle
& Amy Loughton during rehearsals
forSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-2404671756599971712011-11-29T09:37:00.001Z2011-11-29T09:38:57.555ZAlan Ayckbourn at Brits Off BroadwayEvery day this week, the blog will be carrying exclusive features and interviews to tie in with the American premiere of Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play Neighbourhood Watch at the 59E59 Theaters as part of the Brits Off Broadway festival. The series continues with a look at Alan’s association with the festival and its impact since 2005.
Tomorrow evening sees the American premiere of Alan Ayckbourn’Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-7876650288820678932011-11-28T09:16:00.001Z2011-11-28T09:17:06.633ZAlan Ayckbourn in New YorkEvery day this week, the blog will be carrying exclusive features and interviews to tie in with the American premiere of Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play Neighbourhood Watch at the 59E59 Theaters as part of the Brits Off Broadway festival. The series begins with a look at Alan Ayckbourn’s plays in New York, continuing tomorrow with a look at his association with the festival.
It’s fair to say that Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-25020844311295565052011-11-25T09:34:00.001Z2011-11-28T16:44:49.559ZElisabeth Sladen's autobiographyThe Scarborough Evening News has run a story on the late actress Elisabeth Sladen’s experiences working with Alan Ayckbourn and kindly allowed the blog to reproduce the story.
Elisabeth Sladen (right) and Eve
Shickle in How The Other Half
Loves (1969).
The late actress Elisabeth Sladen - most famous as Dr Who’s assistant Sarah Jane - talks about her work with Alan Ayckbourn in her posthumously Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-85599982145361979962011-11-24T12:57:00.007Z2011-11-25T10:17:10.330ZLondon dates for Neighbourhood Watch & UK tourFollowing its premiere at the Stephen Joseph Theatre this autumn and a run in New York, Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play, Neighbourhood Watch will tour the UK in spring 2012 finishing with a four week run at the Tricycle Theatre.
Neighbourhood Watch is Alan Ayckbourn’s 75th play and is a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking the laws into your own hands.
The play, which premiered at the SJT inSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-38510966059226927882011-11-22T10:48:00.004Z2011-12-30T20:04:28.112ZThe 'Ayckbourn On DVD' QuestionAn occasional editorial by Alan Ayckbourn's Archivist Simon Murgatroyd about all things Ayckbourn...Come the winter months and one of the most frequently asked questions of www.alanayckbourn.net is: where can I get a DVD of Season's Greetings?
During the rest of the year, it's: where can I get a DVD of [insert Ayckbourn play title of choice]?
It's a question dealt with on the website in the FilmsSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-55885625382313263542011-11-17T10:00:00.001Z2011-11-17T10:07:09.802ZLife & Beth now available - Ayckbourn Christmas gift ideasAlan Ayckbourn's 2008 play Life & Beth has now been published by Samuel French.
The light supernatural play sees recently widowed Beth experiencing her first Christmas without her late husband, Gordon. As her family gathers round - Gordon's alcoholic sister Connie and her under-achieving son Martin along with silent girlfriend - a well-meaning prayer beings back an unexpected guest.
With Gordon Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-59326787573660941732011-11-14T09:22:00.000Z2011-11-14T09:22:43.187ZThis Week In History: 14 November & 21 NovemberA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
16 November: Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential received its New York premiere at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 2000.
21 November: London premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Henceforward... at the Vaudeville Theatre in 1988.
23 November: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-30062843569999283822011-11-10T09:23:00.002Z2011-11-13T13:58:52.783ZFree Ayckbourn ebook at alanayckbourn.netChristmas has come early to Alan Ayckbourn's Official Website with the opportunity to download a new ebook on Alan Ayckbourn for free.
To mark the launch of the website's new Downloads page, the website is offering the new ebook by Alan Ayckbourn's Archivist Simon Murgatroyd.Unseen Ayckbourn is a totally revised and expanded second edition of 2009's Sight Unseen. Coming in at twice the length of Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-74864235815383237292011-11-08T09:37:00.000Z2011-11-08T09:37:24.910ZThe Work Of Alan Ayckbourn: A Four Part SeriesThe Greene Space in New York is presenting a series of events to celebrate the work of Alan Ayckbourn.
The Work Of Alan Ayckbourn: A Four Part Series begins on 14 November with Karin Coonrod directing Alan Ayckbourn's 1969 children's play Ernie's Incredible Illucinations.
Director Karin Coonrad describes the play as "Ernie, a young boy of wild imaginings, cuts through the ordinary world with Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-58054820943046553922011-11-07T09:12:00.001Z2011-11-14T09:09:37.702ZThis Week In History: 7 November 2011A regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
7 November: Alan Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce transferred from the National Theatre to the Price Of Wales Theatre, London, in 1978.
11 November: Alan Ayckbourn's children's play Ernie's Incredible Illucinations was first broadcast on television in 1987. Alan Ayckbourn's My Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-77556770259726333332011-11-04T09:51:00.006Z2011-11-24T15:11:48.052ZAlan Ayckbourn and the London 2012 FestivalIt has been announced today that Alan Ayckbourn's plays will be involved in the London 2012 Festival, the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad as part of the celebrations for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
"The London 2012 Festival will celebrate the work of Alan Ayckbourn, with two plays presented in an exciting new collaboration between two award-winning theatre of international importance, Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-33934037033450354592011-11-02T09:28:00.002Z2011-11-02T09:31:57.269ZAlan Ayckbourn: Plays 5 on KindleThe latest collection of Alan Ayckbourn's plays has just been published in ebook format for Kindle devices.
Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 5 contains five recent Ayckbourn plays (including one previously unpublished) and came out in soft back last month.
The collection contains Life Of Riley (2010); My Wonderful Day (2009); Life & Beth (2008); If I Were You (2006); Snake In The Grass (2002).
It is Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-33132680207706440182011-11-01T09:20:00.001Z2011-11-01T09:23:38.569ZThis Week In History: 1 NovemberA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
2 November: In 1983, the Arts Council reported that more people had seen Alan Ayckbourn's plays in regional subsidised theatres between 1981 and 1983 than any other playwright - including Shakespeare; although Shakespeare still had the most productions in regional Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-52048079782397445872011-10-31T09:29:00.005Z2011-11-08T19:07:17.053ZHalloween Chills...15 chilling facts about Alan Ayckbourn for Halloween!
1. Alan’s first ghostly creation was ‘Enry Albert Murgatroyd, an unfortunate groom who collapsed carrying his ample bride over the threshold. His subsequent haunts feature in the song The Ghost Of ‘Enry Albert, part of the revue What The Devil! performed at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, in 1975.
2. The first Ayckbourn play to feature a Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-9697841262905196902011-10-20T10:28:00.000+01:002011-10-20T10:28:13.109+01:00This Week (and a half...) In History: 20 October 2011A regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
It's a bit of a slow couple of weeks for all things Ayckbourn, so to tide the blog over, here's a bumper edition of This Week In History running until 31 October.
22 October: Alan Ayckbourn revives his play Way Upstream at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in 2003Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-53491761804540399792011-10-17T09:27:00.005+01:002011-10-17T17:53:02.134+01:00Brits Off Broadway: Neighbourhood Watch tickets now on saleTickets for the New York transfer of Alan Ayckbourn's latest play Neighbourhood Watch have now gone on sale to the general public.
The play, which closed its world premiere run in Scarborough on Saturday, is part of the Brits Off Broadway festival at the 59E59 Theaters and running from 30 November to 1 January.
Neighbourhood Watch is directed by Alan Ayckbourn and features the original cast of Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-68602399006315906892011-10-14T13:38:00.004+01:002011-10-14T13:56:49.048+01:00BBC's Imagine features Alan AyckbournA documentary about the enduring appeal of Alan Ayckbourn for the BBC's flagship arts programme Imagine has just been announced.
Alan Ayckbourn - Greetings From Scarborough will be shown in the coming weeks as part of the new season of Imagine documentaries on BBC1.
The documentary will feature Alan Yentob exploring the enduring and wide-spread appeal of Alan Ayckbourn's plays from Scarborough toSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-47218164021825166102011-10-14T11:09:00.000+01:002011-10-14T11:09:23.192+01:00By Jeeves - available to everyone! (Sort of)In the past week, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Really Useful Group have announced the launch of a new website to promote the production of its popular and extensive back-catalogue.One of the results of this is the confirmation that Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical By Jeeves is now available to present around the world by professionals, amateurs, schools and other groups.By Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-10959949548980461782011-10-11T09:55:00.001+01:002011-10-11T09:56:39.398+01:00Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 4 & 5 PublishedThe latest collections of Alan Ayckbourn's plays have now been published and are available to buy.
Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 4 & 5 are published by Faber and collect together both classic plays and more recent plays including a previously unpublished work.
Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 5 includes the never before published Life Of Riley as well as My Wonderful Day, If I Were You, Snake In The Grass and Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-33232607560978417212011-10-10T08:58:00.000+01:002011-10-10T08:58:21.059+01:00This Week In History: 10 OctoberA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
12 October: Broadcast premiere of the television adaptation of Living Together (The Norman Conquests) in 1977 on ITV.
13 October: World Premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's My Wonderful Day at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in 2009; London premiere of Comic Potential Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-44590419034770755362011-10-05T18:22:00.004+01:002011-10-09T18:17:05.653+01:00Neighbourhood Watch details confirmed for New YorkAlan Ayckbourn's highly acclaimed new play Neighbourhood Watch will be making a transatlantic transfer to New York at the end of November.
The world premiere production, directed by Alan Ayckbourn and featuring the original company, will transfer to the 59E59 Theatres, New York, as part of the Brits Off Broadway festival.
Full details of the festival have just been announced, which will see Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-33003148752975033892011-10-04T08:55:00.002+01:002011-10-04T08:56:37.368+01:00Ayckbourn 2011 raises £1,800A weekend offering the opportunity to meet Alan Ayckbourn and see his latest plays has raised £1,800.
The Ayckbourn 2011 event was organised by Alan Ayckbourn’s Official Website in conjunction with Stephen Joseph Theatre OutReach and raised £1,800 for the OutReach department and its work with the Scarborough community.
The weekend saw participants from throughout the UK and as far afield as Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-27177817924340530072011-09-28T09:36:00.003+01:002011-09-28T09:41:57.247+01:00Ayckbourn 2011 WeekendThis weekend sees the second Ayckbourn Weekend taking place at the Stephen Joseph Theatre drawing visitors from throughout the UK as well as Europe and North America.
Alan Ayckbourn
(copyright: Adrian Gatie)
Ayckbourn 2011 is a celebration of Alan Ayckbourn and his writing offering the chance for participants to see his latest acclaimed plays Neighbourhood Watch and Dear Uncle as well as Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-82256627924065520122011-09-26T09:31:00.000+01:002011-09-26T09:31:01.788+01:00This Week In History: 26 SeptemberA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
26 September: Alan Ayckbourn directs his first production of a Shakespeare play when Othello opens at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough, starring Michael Gambon, Ken Stott and Claire Skinner in 1990.
27 September: World Premiere of Wolf At The Door, anSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-89819820170720400962011-09-25T22:24:00.000+01:002011-09-25T22:24:27.442+01:00Neighbourhood Watch reviews - updatedAlan Ayckbourn's latest play Neighbourhood Watch has now opened at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, and has received some excellent reviews.Reviews highlights and links will be carried below as they are published.
Sunday Times (by Jane Edwardes) 4 starsAlan Ayckbourn's 75th play is pokily on the button.... Ayckbourn's own production is impeccably cast.... The play is both comic and bleak.Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-24964810526336223162011-09-20T11:41:00.002+01:002011-09-20T11:41:54.144+01:00Biography section relaunched at alanayckbourn.netThe latest update to Alan Ayckbourn's Official Website www.alanayckbourn.net sees the Biography section relaunched today with several notable new additions to the site.
The Biography section is the first stop for anyone wanting to find out more about Alan's Ayckbourn's life and career. It features a comprehensive biography page as well as an approved short-form biography suitable for reproductionSimon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-49332097394780462062011-09-19T09:12:00.000+01:002011-09-19T09:12:38.172+01:00This Week In History: 19 SeptemberA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
19 September: Alan Ayckbourn's official biography, Grinning At The Edge, written by Paul Allen is published in 2002.
21 September: Premiere of Scarborough revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in 2000.
24 September: London premiere of Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-52612592819938155042011-09-12T09:06:00.000+01:002011-09-12T09:06:51.560+01:00This Week In History: 12 SeptemberA regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
12 September: Alan Ayckbourn resigns from the Yorkshire Arts Association in 1979 citing work commitments.
13 September: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's new play Neighbourhood Watch at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough. For details and bookings, click here.
14 Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-41159870151933952912011-09-06T09:25:00.000+01:002011-09-06T09:25:48.155+01:00Interviews And NewsWith the world premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's new play Neighbourhood Watch a week away, media attention has turned to Alan and the new play.
In the 10 September edition of the Radio Times (available today), Alan is interviewed by James Rampton and touches upon subjects such as his writing career, the perception of him as a writer, his views on television and celebrity casting.
The playwright also Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-49382987841304747902011-09-05T09:03:00.000+01:002011-09-05T09:03:56.295+01:00This Week In History: 5 September
A regular feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
6 September: The BBC premieres its radio adaptation of Alan Ayckbourn's Living Together (The Norman Conquests) in 1990.
7 September: London premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Damsels In Distress trilogy (GamePlan, FlatSpin & RolePlay) at the Duchess Theatre, directed by Alan Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-25960955264914048162011-09-01T13:44:00.000+01:002011-09-01T13:44:53.759+01:00Season's Greetings now on tour
Alan Ayckbourn's popular play Season's Greetings is now embarking on a major UK tour.The new production, directed by Robin Herford and produced by Bill Kenwright, has opened at the Theatre Royal, Windsor, where it will play until 10 September before touring around the country until 10 December.The play, which was revived to great acclaim at the National Theatre last Christmas, is centred on a Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-67422490689955113182011-08-30T08:58:00.000+01:002011-08-30T08:58:28.303+01:00This Week In History: 30 August
An occasional feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
30 August: The BBC premieres its radio adaptation of Alan Ayckbourn's Table Manners (The Norman Conquests) in 1990.
2 September: London premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's only true farce Taking Steps at the Lyric Theatre, directed by Michael Rudman, in 1980.
3 September: Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-25054452615262686172011-08-15T09:51:00.000+01:002011-08-15T09:51:53.088+01:00This Week In History: 15 August
An occasional feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
16 August: Directed his first production of a Harold Pinter play with The Caretaker at The Library Theatre, Scarborough, in 1962.
17 August: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Private Fears In Public Places at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in 2004.
20 Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-17970452321345185322011-08-12T10:30:00.003+01:002011-08-12T10:48:32.988+01:00Alan Ayckbourn's Neighbourhood Watch on tourAlan Ayckbourn's latest play Neighbourhood Watch will not only be visiting New York after its world premiere in Scarborough but also Newcastle-under-Lyme and Bowness-on-Windermere.
The New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and The Old Laundry, Bowness-on-Windermere, have now released details of the Neighbourhood Watch tour to these venues before transferring to New York.
Neighbourhood Watch is Alan Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-69941535500339163332011-08-11T11:17:00.001+01:002011-08-11T11:18:21.015+01:00Alan Ayckbourn's Plays For AmateursWith the forthcoming world premiere of Alan Ayckbourn’s 75th play Neighbourhood Watch, it’s worth noting another Ayckbourn anniversary is also fast approaching.October will mark the 50th anniversary of the first verified amateur production of an Ayckbourn play.On 4 October 1961, Scarborough Theatre Guild performed the one act play Love Undertaken at St Mary’s Parish House, Scarborough, beginning Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-35385109413470312962011-08-08T09:59:00.000+01:002011-08-08T09:59:03.167+01:00This Week In History: 8 AugustAn occasional feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
8 August: Word premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Orvin - Champion Of Champions at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in 2003.
9 August: London premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's House & Garden at the National Theatre in 2000.
10 August: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-61440528842397329302011-08-03T09:19:00.000+01:002011-08-03T09:19:32.639+01:00Season's Greetings now available on CDAlan Ayckbourn's classic play Season's Greetings has been released on CD by the BBC.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1991, this production features an impressive cast of Geoffrey Palmer, Frances Barber, Bill Nighy, John Sessions, Lia Williams, Andrew Lincoln, Phil Daniels, Ruth Lass, Sophie Thompson.
The play is now regarded as a perennial Ayckbourn classic and was most recently seen at the Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-30431991476691879442011-08-02T11:04:00.000+01:002011-08-02T11:04:42.728+01:00Alan Ayckbourn's latest play to transfer to New YorkAlan Ayckbourn's latest play, Neighbourhood Watch, will transfer to New York after its world premiere in Scarborough.
Neighbourhood Watch, the playwright's 75th play, will tour to 59E59 Theaters, New York, between 30 November and 1 January as part of the Brits Off Broadway festival.
The production will be directed by Alan Ayckbourn and feature the Stephen Joseph Theatre company. This will be the Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-89168815616303053342011-08-01T09:53:00.000+01:002011-08-01T09:53:27.740+01:00This Week In History: 1 AugustAn occasional feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
1 August: Rehearsals begin for Alan Ayckbourn's latest play, Neighbourhood Watch, premiering at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, on 8 September 2011.
4 August: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's This Is Where We Came In at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-16793832650813155922011-07-24T08:50:00.003+01:002011-07-24T09:00:40.940+01:00This Week In HistoryAn occasional feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
25 July: Alan Ayckbourn announces his 25th play in 1980 will be a thriller called Sight Unseen, although he actually writes Season's Greetings (which is now classified as his 26th play).
27 July: Alan Ayckbourn's revival of Man Of The Moment at Northampton's Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-33664888768858316932011-07-19T10:57:00.000+01:002011-07-19T10:57:53.241+01:00Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 4 & 5 delayedThe two latest collections of Alan Ayckbourn's plays which were scheduled for release this week have been pushed back to September.
Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 4 and Plays 5, published by Faber & Faber, are now listed as having a publication date of 15 September 2011.
Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 4 collects The Revengers' Comedies, Things We Do For Love and House & Garden into a single edition. It is Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-3724901692030400112011-07-18T08:22:00.001+01:002011-07-24T09:01:18.429+01:00This Week In HistoryAn occasional feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
19 July: World premiere of Alan Ayckbourn and Paul Todd's revue Backnumbers at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough, in 1983.
20 July: Faber & Faber publish Alan Ayckbourn's A Small Family Business in 1987.
22 July: World premiere of Alan Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-16109030354465835742011-07-13T10:52:00.011+01:002011-07-24T08:44:11.031+01:00Dear Uncle reviewsAlan Ayckbourn's Dear Uncle had its press night at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, last night. The adaptation of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya is directed by Alan Ayckbourn and in repertory until 30 September.
The Observer (by Clare Brennan)
"After the interval – wham! Chekhov-Ayckbourn fission – a fireworks display of farce, comedy and tragedy around a dining table. The confrontation Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-26905390159814987932011-07-12T09:15:00.002+01:002011-11-04T21:09:37.229ZFunding at the Stephen Joseph TheatreThe BBC website has an interesting story today about how the arts funding cuts in the UK have affected three theatres including the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.
This is an extract from the article where Artistic Director Chris Monks talks to BBC Arts Reporter Ian Young about the situation at the SJT.
"The pip has already squeaked," remarks Chris Monks, who replaced Alan Ayckbourn as Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-27943253408097925822011-07-11T09:46:00.001+01:002011-07-11T09:46:33.150+01:00This week in historyAn occasional feature in which the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
11 July: Alan Ayckbourn appears in his first acting role at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, playing Eric Birling in An Inspector Calls.
12 July: The world premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Dear Uncle, an adaptation of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, premieres at the Stephen Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-7142228065243006842011-07-05T09:27:00.000+01:002011-07-05T09:27:24.308+01:00Season's Greetings on tourFull details have now been confirmed for the Bill Kenwright produced tour of Season's Greetings later this year.
This perenially popular Alan Ayckbourn play is being directed by Robin Herford and begins a three month tour at the Theatre Royal Windsor on 30 August.
The production features Glynis Barber as Belinda, Christopher Timothy as Bernard, Denis Lill as Harvey, Jenny Funnell as Rachel, Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-27436325348344545402011-06-30T09:29:00.000+01:002011-06-30T09:29:13.554+01:00Research section launched at alanayckbourn.netTo round off our coverage of the University Of York's acquisition of The Ayckbourn Archive this week, the Ayckbourn News Blog is delighted to announce the launch of the new Research section at Alan Ayckbourn's Official Website.
The Research Hub at www.alanayckbourn.net will form the basis of an ongoing and expanding research tool offering advice as to where to find important Ayckbourn research Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-30471180322938740002011-06-29T08:45:00.001+01:002011-06-29T11:42:40.476+01:00An Interview With Alan AyckbournOn 24 June 2011, the University Of York announced it had acquired the archive of playwright Alan Ayckbourn as part of the Borthwick Institute for Archives. Here Paul Tyack, Development Manager for the University Of York, interviews Alan Ayckbourn and his archivist Simon Murgatroyd about the archive.
Paul: How do you feel about the archive moving out of your home and into the University of York?
Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-24081660866516017362011-06-28T09:34:00.002+01:002011-07-01T12:29:11.645+01:00The Ayckbourn Archive: An Archivist's PerspectiveThe announcement that the University Of York has acquired Alan Ayckbourn’s personal archive for the nation really is something for Ayckbourn fans the world over to celebrate.
As Alan Ayckbourn’s Archivist, I’ve been working with these papers for approaching ten years and it is – whether viewed objectively or subjectively – an extraordinary collection. The University quotes the figure that there Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-2961289429238738232011-06-27T08:41:00.006+01:002011-06-27T14:22:36.788+01:00Ayckbourn Archive acquired for nationUniversity of York acquires Ayckbourn Archive for the nation
The archive of one of the country’s foremost contemporary English dramatists, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, has been acquired by the University of York and will now be made accessible for the first time.
Mike Cordner, Chris Webb, Lady Ayckbourn, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Professor Brian Cantor, and Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-73623566057353920022011-06-17T09:47:00.002+01:002011-06-17T16:28:40.417+01:00Alain Resnais' Ayckbourn films at the BFIThe British Film Institute is offering a rare chance to see Alain Resnais' acclaimed film adaptations of Alan Ayckbourn's plays on the big screen.
The BFI is presenting a season dedicated to the acclaimed French film director, Curioser And Curioser: The Films Of Alain Resnais, between 2 - 31 July, 2011. As part of this, the season will include his Ayckbourn films Smoking, No Smoking and Private Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-21059942221022478582011-06-13T08:56:00.000+01:002011-06-13T08:56:34.845+01:00This Week In History: 13 June 2011Each week, the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
13 June: Alan Ayckbourn receives the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre (2010); World premiere of The Revengers' Comedies at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough (1989); Stephen Joseph - Alan Ayckbourn's most influential mentor - born (1921).
14 Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-55197308336658549922011-06-06T10:14:00.000+01:002011-06-06T10:14:59.823+01:00This Week In HistoryEach week, the News Blog offers a glimpse at significant Ayckbourn events in the equivalent week of years past.
6 June: Rehearsals begin for Alan Ayckbourn's Dear Uncle - an adaptation of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya - at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough (2011); Round And Round The Garden has its London premiere at Greenwich Theatre (1974).
7 June: The Old Vic's revival of The Norman Conquests Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204092891379467120.post-31786708900702688752011-06-02T10:13:00.004+01:002011-06-02T22:22:00.216+01:00Haunting Julia at the Riverside Studios reviewsReviews for the London premiere of Haunting Julia at Riverside Studios have been published over the past few days and here's a quick look at some of the more notable reviews.
Daily Telegraph (Charles Spencer) - 4 stars
"An unusually rich and deeply felt stage thriller.... It has its comic moments, but most of the laughter is of the nervy variety that comes from an audience that doesn’t Simon Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15588697298580041558noreply@blogger.com0