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Alan Ayckbourn

Birth Place: London, ENGLAND

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BIO

Alan Ayckbourn is a prolific British playwright and director who has made a significant contribution to the world of theater. Born in London in 1939, Ayckbourn began his career in the theater as an actor, but soon turned his attention to writing and directing. He has written over 80 plays, many of which have been performed on stages around the world.


Ayckbourn's first major success came in 1969 with the play "Relatively Speaking," which became a hit in London's West End and on Broadway. This was followed by a string of successful plays, including "How the Other Half Loves," "Absurd Person Singular," and "The Norman Conquests." These plays are known for their sharp wit and insightful commentary on the foibles of human behavior.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Ayckbourn is also an accomplished director. He served as the artistic director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, England, from 1972 to 2009, where he directed many of his own plays as well as works by other writers. He has also directed productions in London's West End and on Broadway.
Ayckbourn's contributions to the world of theater have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He was knighted in 1997 for his services to theater, and has received the Laurence Olivier Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, and the Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Services to the Arts.
Despite his many accolades, Ayckbourn remains dedicated to his craft and continues to write and direct new works. His most recent play, "Birthdays Past, Birthdays Present," premiered at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in 2018 and was well received by audiences and critics alike.
Ayckbourn's legacy as a playwright and director is a testament to his talent and dedication to the theater. His works continue to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world, and his impact on the world of theater will be felt for generations to come.

Photos

Productions

Private Fears in Public Places
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Director
By Jeeves
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Director
Bedroom Farce
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Director

Writing

Woman in Mind
Playwright
Garden
Playwright
By Jeeves
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Absent Friends
Playwright
House
Playwright
Comic Potential
Playwright
Taking Steps
Playwright
Bedroom Farce
Playwright
Jeeves
Bookwriter
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2010 - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Alan Ayckbourn

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Play

Alan AyckbournIntimate Exchanges

Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best New Comedy

Alan AyckbournDamsels In Distress - Roleplay

Olivier Awards - 2001 - Best New Comedy

Alan AyckbournHouse/Garden


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Play

Alan Ayckbourn, Comic Potential

Olivier Awards - 2000 - Best New Comedy

Alan AyckbournComic Potential

Olivier Awards - 1999 - Best New Comedy

Alan AyckbournThings We Do For Love

Olivier Awards - 1996 - Best Comedy

Alan AyckbournCommunicating Doors

Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Comedy

Alan AyckbournTime Of My Life

Olivier Awards - 1990 - BBC Award for the Play of the Year

Alan AyckbournMan Of The Moment

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding New Play

Alan Ayckbourn, Women in Mind

Olivier Awards - 1988 - Comedy of the Year

Alan AyckbournHenceforward


winner
Olivier Awards - 1985 - Comedy of the Year

Alan AyckbournA Chorus Of Disapproval

Olivier Awards - 1984 - Comedy of the Year

Alan Ayckbourn Intimate Exchanges

Olivier Awards - 1982 - Comedy of the Year

Alan AyckbournSeason's Greetings

Olivier Awards - 1980 - Comedy of the Year

Alan AyckbournSisterly Feelings

Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding Director - Play

Alan Ayckbourn, Bedroom Farce

Tony Awards - 1979 - Best Direction of a Play

Alan Ayckbourn, Bedroom Farce

Tony Awards - 1979 - Best Play

Alan Ayckbourn, Bedroom Farce

Olivier Awards - 1978 - Comedy of the Year

Alan AyckbournTen Times Table

Olivier Awards - 1977 - Comedy of the Year

Alan Ayckbourn, Bedroom Farce

Olivier Awards - 1976 - Comedy of the Year

Alan AyckbournConfusions

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding New Foreign Play

Alan Ayckbourn, Absurd Person Singular

Videos

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News


The Theatre Group at SBCC to Hold Auditions for A SMALL FAMILY BUISNESS Photo
The Theatre Group at SBCC to Hold Auditions for A SMALL FAMILY BUISNESS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2025

The Theatre Group at SBCC will hold auditions for the spring 2026 production of A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Katie Laris, by appointment.
Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre Reveals In-House Productions For 2026 Photo
Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre Reveals In-House Productions For 2026
by Stephi Wild - Nov 12, 2025

The Stephen Joseph Theatre has announced the rest of its in-house productions for 2026. The Scarborough theatre recently announced that it would be producing Murder for Two (28 March to 18 April) and Calendar Girls the Musical (27 June to 25 July).
The Old Laundry Theatre Will Be Renamed The Victoria Wood Theatre; FOURTEEN AGAIN Wil Photo
The Old Laundry Theatre Will Be Renamed The Victoria Wood Theatre; FOURTEEN AGAIN Will Premiere
by Stephi Wild - Nov 10, 2025

Victoria Wood’s long-standing friendships, love of the Lake District and close connection to The Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere comes full circle, as the intimate theatre is to be renamed THE VICTORIA WOOD THEATRE.
CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL Comes to Stephen Joseph Theatre in 2026 Photo
CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL Comes to Stephen Joseph Theatre in 2026
by Stephi Wild - Nov 4, 2025

Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre has announced its first summer production for 2026 – Calendar Girls the Musical. Learn more about the upcoming production here!
Romesh Ranganathan and More Join Cast of WOMAN IN MIND at The Duke of York's Theatre Photo
Romesh Ranganathan and More Join Cast of WOMAN IN MIND at The Duke of York's Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2025

Romesh Ranganathan will make his West End stage debut in a new production of Alan Ayckbourn's psychological comedy WOMAN IN MIND in a strictly limited West End run. Learn more here!
Full Cast Set For Noël Coward's FALLEN ANGELS at Menier Chocolate Factory Photo
Full Cast Set For Noël Coward's FALLEN ANGELS at Menier Chocolate Factory
by Stephi Wild - Sep 24, 2025

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced full casting for its forthcoming production of Noël Coward's Fallen Angels which opens its new season at its home base in London Bridge.
Sheridan Smith Will Lead Alan Ayckbourn's WOMAN IN MIND Photo
Sheridan Smith Will Lead Alan Ayckbourn's WOMAN IN MIND
by Stephi Wild - Sep 18, 2025

A new production of Alan Ayckbourn's psychological comedy WOMAN IN MIND will star Sheridan Smith in a strictly limited West End run at the Duke of York's Theatre.
Alan Ayckbourn's EARTH ANGEL Comes to the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough Photo
Alan Ayckbourn's EARTH ANGEL Comes to the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
by Stephi Wild - Sep 15, 2025

Alan Ayckbourn's latest play, Earth Angel,  has opened at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre – a cast comprising Elizabeth Boag, Iskandar Eaton, Stuart Fox, Liza Goddard, Russell Richardson and Hayden Wood are directed by the author.
THE WOMAN IN BLACK Comes to The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Photo
THE WOMAN IN BLACK Comes to The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
by Stephi Wild - Sep 10, 2025

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has announced its upcoming presentation of the original London production of The Woman in Black, the spine-chilling theatrical sensation direct from London’s West End.
Alan Ayckbourn's EARTH ANGEL Comes to The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough Photo
Alan Ayckbourn's EARTH ANGEL Comes to The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
by Stephi Wild - Aug 26, 2025

Alan Ayckbourn's latest comedy, Earth Angel, opens at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre next month. Learn more about this upcoming production and how to get tickets here.
Video: How Well Does Gavin Lee Remember His Old Lines? Photo
Video: How Well Does Gavin Lee Remember His Old Lines?
by Joey Mervis - Aug 23, 2025

We know him as Squidward, Bert, Scar, and more- but how well does Gavin Lee know those characters? We're putting him to the test in the latest edition of BroadwayWorld's Line Please! In this video, watch as he tries to guess which shows he said each of these lines...
Video: Watch Gavin Lee Join THE LION KING on Broadway as 'Scar' Photo
Video: Watch Gavin Lee Join THE LION KING on Broadway as 'Scar'
by Michael Major - Jul 23, 2025

Gavin Lee has made it to Pride Rock! The Tony nominee has officially joined the cast of The Lion King on Broadway as 'Scar.' Watch a video of his first bow now!
Gavin Lee Joins THE LION KING on Broadway as Scar Photo
Gavin Lee Joins THE LION KING on Broadway as Scar
by Stephi Wild - Jun 30, 2025

Two-time Tony nominee Gavin Lee will take on the role of Scar in THE LION KING starting July 22. Discover more about his journey here!
The Library Theatre at 70 Exhibition Celebrates Scarborough Library and Theatre In Th Photo
The Library Theatre at 70 Exhibition Celebrates Scarborough Library and Theatre In The Round
by Stephi Wild - Jun 26, 2025

Scarborough Library is to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the UK's first professional theatre-in-the-round company in 2025. Learn more here!
Cast Set For EARTH ANGEL at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre Photo
Cast Set For EARTH ANGEL at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 24, 2025

The cast has been announced for Alan Ayckbourn’s latest comedy, Earth Angel, at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre. Learn more about the show and cast here!
The Theatre Group at SBCC Reveals 80th Season Photo
The Theatre Group at SBCC Reveals 80th Season
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2025

The Theatre Group at SBCC has announced its 80th season, starting in July 2025. Learn more about the full upcoming season and find out how to get tickets here!
Cast Set for 70th Birthday Celebrations at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre Photo
Cast Set for 70th Birthday Celebrations at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 20, 2025

The full cast has been announced for the SJT’s 70th Birthday Party, hosted by Laura Doddington in July. Learn more about this upcoming event and how to attend here.
HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES to be Presented at North Fourth Theatre This Summer Photo
HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES to be Presented at North Fourth Theatre This Summer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2025

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES produced by West End Productions, will run at North Fourth Theatre, for three weekends this summer. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES, Theatre Royal Bath Photo
Review: JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES, Theatre Royal Bath
by Cheryl Markosky - May 6, 2025

The sweet isn't sweet enough and the bitter not bitter enough in a touring production where the pacing's slow and the laughs don't readily come.
Review: HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at Castle Craig Players Photo
Review: HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at Castle Craig Players
by Sean Fallon - May 3, 2025

On Friday, May 2nd, I had the pleasure of seeing another first-rate production as put on by the Castle Craig Players at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT, a comedy called HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES, written by Alan Ayckbourn. Under the excellent directing of Pamela Amodio, this first-rate cast includes Wilson Belbin, Samantha Brown, Gina Marie Davies, Richard Gaudiosi, Cindy Harris and Jeffrey Liggett all of whom have a strong stage presence and excellent stage chemistry with each other.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Alan Ayckbourn written?

Alan Ayckbourn has written 23 shows including How the Other Half Loves (Playwright), Jeeves (Bookwriter), The Norman Conquests: Table Manners (Playwright), The Norman Conquests: Living Together (Playwright), The Norman Conquests: Round and Round the Garden (Playwright), Bedroom Farce (Playwright), Season's Greetings (Playwright), Woman in Mind (Playwright), Absent Friends (Playwright), Taking Steps (Playwright), A Small Family Business (Playwright), How the Other Half Loves (Playwright), By Jeeves (Bookwriter), Communicating Doors (Playwright), Comic Potential (Playwright), Garden (Playwright), House (Playwright), Private Fears in Public Places (Playwright), Absurd Person Singular (Playwright), The Norman Conquests Trilogy (Playwright), A Chorus of Disapproval (Playwright), Relatively Speaking (Playwright), The Divide (Author).

What awards has Alan Ayckbourn been nominated for?

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (Tony Awards) for , Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Intimate Exchanges, Best New Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Damsels In Distress - Roleplay, Best New Comedy (Olivier Awards) for House/Garden, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Comic Potential, Best New Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Comic Potential, Best New Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Things We Do For Love, Best Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Communicating Doors, Best Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Time Of My Life, BBC Award for the Play of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Man Of The Moment, Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Women in Mind, Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Henceforward, Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for A Chorus Of Disapproval, Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Intimate Exchanges, Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Season's Greetings, Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Sisterly Feelings, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Bedroom Farce, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Bedroom Farce, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Bedroom Farce , Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Ten Times Table, Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Bedroom Farce, Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Confusions and Outstanding New Foreign Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Absurd Person Singular.

What awards has Alan Ayckbourn won?

Alan Ayckbourn has received the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre at the Tony Awards. He won Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Comic Potential and received the Comedy of the Year award at the Olivier Awards for A Chorus Of Disapproval.

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