Stephen Joseph Theatre Celebrates 60 Years with Alan Ayckbourn

The Stephen Joseph Theatre this year celebrates 60 years of association with one of the greats of world theatre, Alan Ayckbourn.

The playwright will host two gala evenings, A Brief History of Plays, on Sundays 10 and 17 September, featuring extracts from a selection of his 81 plays performed by some of the many actors he has worked with over the years.

As a young stage manager and actor, Alan first arrived at the theatre, then known as the Library Theatre, in 1957.

The two unique, never-to-be-repeated evenings will be hosted by Alan and will feature actors Bill Champion, Liza Goddard, and Robin Herford (10 September), Matthew Cottle and Janie Dee (17 September), and Christopher Godwin and Heather Stoney (both dates), alongside current company members Russell Dixon, AnTony Eden, Jessica Johnson, Sean McKenzie, FranceS Marshall, Laura Matthews, Laurence Pears, Louise Shuttleworth, Gurjeet Singh, Leigh Symonds and Amy Trigg.

The two gala evenings are fund-raisers which will contribute to the SJT's ongoing programme of developing new work.

On 10 September, Alan will talk about his time at the SJT between 1957 and 1987; and on 17 September, he'll cover the years from 1987 to 2017. The Acting Company will perform extracts from plays ranging from one of his earliest, Love After All, written in 1959 and unpublished, to 2015's Roundelay.

Alan says: "I'm greatly looking forward to reuniting with some old friends, performers, playgoers and plays!"

Tickets cost £75 (to include programme, a glass of prosecco and post-show reception); £35; or for both evenings, £140 or £65.

To book, please call the box office on 01723 370541 or visit the website: www.sjt.uk.com

Photo credit: Andrew Higgins