Sir Alan Ayckbourn Recovering from a Stroke

Sir Alan Ayckbourn, the British comic playwright who is well-known for his expertly-crafted farces, has suffered a stroke. He is currently recovering at a hospital in his hometown of Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

"I hope to be back on my feet, or at least my left leg, as soon as possible. I know it's going to take some time. In the meantime, I am in excellent hands," stated the 66 year-old Ayckbourn, whose Absurd Person Singular was recently seen in a starry revival at Manhattan Theatre Club (a frequent producer of the playwright's work).

Ayckbourn, who has also directed many of his plays, has written over 60 works, including Comic Potential, Bedroom Farce, The Norman Conquests, House and Garden, A Small Family Business and How The Other Half Loves. His Private Fears in Public Places was recently presented off-Broadway with its original British cast. Ayckbourn, who also penned the book and lyrics of the 2001 Andrew Lloyd Webber musical By Jeeves (which he also directed), is the current artistic director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, where he tries out his new plays before they move on to commercial runs. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Writers' Guild of Great Britain, and was knighted in 1997.