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Alan Ayckbourn

Birth Place: London, ENGLAND

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Alan Ayckbourn 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.

Alan Ayckbourn Photos

Alan Ayckbourn STAGE CREDITS

Alan Ayckbourn Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Director

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Bookwriter
Lyricist

Alan Ayckbourn Awards and Nominations

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

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 - 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

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

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding New Foreign Play

Alan Ayckbourn, Absurd Person Singular

Alan Ayckbourn Videos

Alan Ayckbourn News


Actor Sir Michael Gambon Dies Aged 82

Sir Michael Gambon, who had an acting career that took him from Laurence Olivier’s nascent National Theatre to screen roles in the Harry Potter films, has died at the age of 82.

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For Alan Ayckbourn's CONSTANT COMPANIONS

Rehearsals are under way for Alan Ayckbourn’s 89th play, Constant Companions, which will play at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre from 7 September to 7 October before touring to The Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere (17 to 21 October) and the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme (24 October to 4 November). Check out rehearsal photos here! 

Alan Ayckbourn Will Lead the Cast of His Play TRUTH WILL OUT at Stephen Joseph Theatre

Globally renowned playwright Alan Ayckbourn will make a rare outing as an actor at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre in September.

Cast Set For HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES by Alan Aykbourn at The Mill At Sonning

The cast has been announced for HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES  by Alan Aykbourn at The Mill at Sonning. Performances run 10 August - 23 September.

Emily Williams Announced as Rachel Marron in THE BODYGUARD UK Tour

Producers, Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that multi-platinum Australian recording artist Emily Williams will star as Rachel Marron in the award-winning international smash hit musical The Bodyguard, from Tuesday 12 September 2023 at the Liverpool Empire.

Emily Williams  Will Lead THE BODYGUARD UK and Ireland Tour

Multi-platinum Australian recording artist Emily Williams will star as Rachel Marron in the award-winning international smash hit musical THE BODYGUARD, from Tuesday 12 September 2023 at the Liverpool Empire.

Cast Revealed For THE CONSTANT COMPANIONS at The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

Casting has been announced for Alan Ayckbourn's 89th play, Constant Companions, which will play at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre from 7 September to 7 October before touring to The Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere (17 to 21 October) and the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme (24 October to 4 November).

MRS. ROOSEVELT FLIES TO LONDON Comes to Northumberland

Performances are at The Witham in Barnard Castle on 27 September, The Playhouse in Alnwick on 28 September, Queen's Hall Arts Centre in Hexham on 29 September, and The Maltings in Berwick on 30 September.

Alison Skilbeck's UNCOMMON GROUND Comes to Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Critically acclaimed writer and actress, Alison Skilbeck, returns to Assembly for her fifth Edinburgh Fringe to premiere her new play, 'Alison Skilbeck's Uncommon Ground', in the Front Room, Assembly Rooms on George St from 3-27 August.

Review: ABSENT FRIENDS at Kranzberg Black Box Theater

There are those rare instances when a director perfectly casts and directs a play. The actor in every role inhabits the playwright’s characters and delivers performances that transcend an exceptional script to further elevate the material. That is exactly what Robert Ashton has done with Albion Theatre’s second show of their inaugural season with his casting and direction of Alan Ayckbourn’s comical farce ABSENT FRIENDS.

World Premiere of Juliette Dunn's THE PUZZLE Extended at Hedgerow Theatre Company

Hedgerow Theatre announced both a one-week extension and a virtual streaming option of the company's Barrymore Recommended world premiere production of The Puzzle by Juliette Dunn.

World Premiere of Ken Ludwig's MORIARTY: A NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES ADVENTURE is Coming to Cleveland Play House

Cleveland Play House will bring its 2022-2023 season to a close with the world premiere production of Ken Ludwig's Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure. Running April 29 through May 21 in the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square.

THE BODYGUARD Comes To Milton Keynes Theatre This May

Smash-Hit show The Bodyguard will visit Milton Keynes Theatre on 29 May - 03 June

Wild Comedy of Behind-the-Scenes Disasters Takes The Stage in Perth

Written by Sir Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Janet Brandwood for Stirling Theatre, Absurd Person Singular documents the changing fortunes of three married couples who turn up in each other's kitchens on successive Christmas Eves. 

Interview: 'A Show This Funny Has No Business Being As Moving As It Is!' Robert Hastie on Musicals, James Bond and Directing OPERATION MINCEMEAT

BroadwayWorld UK spoke with Robert Hastie about what it's been like to be involved with Operation Mincemeat, how he became a director, and what it's like to direct both Shakespeare and musicals!

West End Productions Presents APRIL IN PARIS, Opening April 21- May 7

APRIL IN PARIS runs at North Fourth Art Center, 4904 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 3 weekends, from April 21 – May 7, 2023.

New Portrait Exhibition at Scarborough Art Gallery Features Previously Unseen John Bratby Painting of Alan Ayckbourn

A previously unseen John Bratby portrait of theatrical legend Alan Ayckbourn will be the centrepiece of a new exhibition at Scarborough Art Gallery exploring the role of portaiture.  

Photos: First Look At THE CHILDREN At Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds'

See photos of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds’ much-anticipated upcoming production of The Children, alongside the previously announced Imogen Stubbs. 

Cast Announced for World Premiere of RSC's HAMNET

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and Neal Street Productions, in association with Hera Pictures, have announced casting for the world-premiere of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by RSC Acting Artistic Director Erica Whyman. 

Cast Announced For THE CHILDREN Alongside Imogen Stubbs at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

The cast has been announced for Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds' much-anticipated upcoming production of The Children, alongside the previously announced Imogen Stubbs.  Lucy Kirkwood's post-apocalyptic drama was hailed by The Guardian as one of the top three plays in their 'Best Theatre Shows of the 21st Century', following two retired nuclear scientists whose isolated life by the sea is disrupted by an old friend with a frightening request. 

Alan Ayckbourn FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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).

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 .

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Comic Potentialand Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for A Chorus Of Disapproval.

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