Alan Ayckbourn: News

Following the last Stephen Joseph Theatre Board meeting, the chairman of the Board, Sue Truefitt, now releases the following statement:

"Over the last couple of years, Alan Ayckbourn's day-to-day involvement in the running of the Stephen Joseph Theatre has been decreasing, although his directing work has continued as normal (If I Were You, 2006 and Intimate Exchanges, 2007). In the forthcoming season he will be directing Relatively Speaking and A Trip to Scarborough and he is planning for the 2008/09 season. This decrease in his workload will lead to the appointment of a new Artistic Director in the Summer of 2008, to plan the 2009/10 season. Alan intends to continue to direct revivals of his plays at the theatre as well as premiering any of his new work there."

Sue Truefitt, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, would now like to confirm the appointment of Chris Monks as Artistic Director of the theatre. This is to succeed Alan Ayckbourn in the new year, ready for the start of the 09/10 season. Chris Monks is currently a freelance theatre director and writer and an Associate Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester.

Chris Monks says of his new appointment: “I feel honoured and excited to follow Stephen Joseph and Alan Ayckbourn, to provide the artistic vision for this renowned theatre company. It’s a dream come true and I can’t wait to start. Moving back to Yorkshire, I’ll be returning to my roots: I was born and brought up in Sheffield, studied in Leeds, my family spent their holidays in Filey and Bridlington and my cousin lives in Whitby.”

A further press release will follow in the Autumn season

"The interview panel have made an appointment and details are now being finalised. It is hoped that this process will be completed by the next meeting of the full Board at the end of this month when the post will be ratified and a date fixed for a formal announcement."

Sue Truefitt, Chairman of the Board, 13 May 2008

	News Feature: Alan Ayckbourn Steps Down As Artistic Director Of The Stephen Joseph Theatre
	On 1 June 2007, the Stephen Joseph Theatre board announced Alan Ayckbourn is to step down as Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in 2008. Below are pertinent details and comments.

	The Original Statement (issued 01 June 2007)
	Following the last Stephen Joseph Theatre Board meeting, the chairman of the Board, Sue Truefitt, now releases the following statement: "Over the last couple of years, Alan Ayckbourn's day-to-day involvement in the running of the Stephen Joseph Theatre has been decreasing, although his directing work has continued as normal (If I Were You, 2006 and Intimate Exchanges, 2007). In the forthcoming season he will be directing Relatively Speaking and A Trip to Scarborough and he is planning for the 2008/09 season. This decrease in his workload will lead to the appointment of a new Artistic Director in the Summer of 2008, to plan the 2009/10 season. Alan intends to continue to direct revivals of his plays at the theatre as well as premiering any of his new work there."

	Further Statements
	Stephen Joseph Theatre Board statement (released: 30 May 2008) Sue Truefitt, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, would now like to confirm the appointment of Chris Monks as Artistic Director of the theatre. This is to succeed Alan Ayckbourn in the new year, ready for the start of the 09/10 season. Chris Monks is currently a freelance theatre director and writer and an Associate Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. Chris Monks says of his new appointment: “I feel honoured and excited to follow Stephen Joseph and Alan Ayckbourn, to provide the artistic vision for this renowned theatre company. It’s a dream come true and I can’t wait to start. Moving back to Yorkshire, I’ll be returning to my roots: I was born and brought up in Sheffield, studied in Leeds, my family spent their holidays in Filey and Bridlington and my cousin lives in Whitby.” A further press release will follow in the Autumn season Sue Truefitt, Chairman of the Board, 30 May 1988 Stephen Joseph Theatre Board statement (released: 14 May 2008): "The interview panel have made an appointment and details are now being finalised. It is hoped that this process will be completed by the next meeting of the full Board at the end of this month when the post will be ratified and a date fixed for a formal announcement." Sue Truefitt, Chairman of the Board, 13 May 2008

	Timeline (Pertinent details)
	1957: June - Alan Ayckbourn joins Studio Theatre Ltd based at the Library Theatre, Scarborough 1972: Alan Ayckbourn becomes Artistic Director of the Library Theatre (NOT 1971 as has repeatedly been inaccurately reported) 1999: April - In interviews at the time of his 60th birthday, Alan Ayckbourn expresses his intention to begin lightening his workload over the coming years. Initially this means only directing the premieres and revivals of his own plays 2006: February - Alan Ayckbourn suffers a stroke 2006: September - Alan Ayckbourn returns to the Stephen Joseph Theatre to direct his play If I Were You 2007: 23 May - Alan Ayckbourn announces his decision to step down as Artistic Director to the SJT company and the Board 2007: 1 June - The Stephen Joseph Theatre Board announce Alan Ayckbourn is to step down as Artistic Director in 2008 (see above) 2007: 5 November - The position of Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre is advertised in The Guardian 2008: 8 February - Initial interviews for Artistic Director of Stephen Joseph Theatre 2008: 26 April - Second interviews for Artistic Director of Stephen Joseph Theatre 2008: 28 April - Confirmation that an offer for the position has been made, but no official announcement made 2008: 14 May - Appointment of unnamed new Artistic Director confirmed by press release (see further statements above) 2008: 28 May: The SJT company is informed Chris Monks has agreed to accept the position of Artistic Director 2008: 29 May - The SJT Board is informed of the Artistic Director decision at the monthly meeting of the full Board 2008: 25 June - Details of Alan Ayckbourn's final season as Artistic Director confirmed and released to the public 2008: Summer - Alan Ayckbourn begins process of stepping down as Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre 2009: 31 March - Official departure of Alan Ayckbourn as Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre 2009: 1 April - Chris Monks officially takes over the position of Artistic Director at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

	Editorial Comment (08 June 2007)
	This comment solely reflects the personal opinions of the website administrator Simon Murgatroyd. All views expressed are the author’s own and do not represent the views or opinions of Alan Ayckbourn, the Stephen Joseph Theatre or any person or persons associated with them.

	On 1 June 2007, the Stephen Joseph Theatre board announced Alan Ayckbourn will be stepping down as Artistic Director of the theatre in 2008. Was the announcement unexpected? To be honest, not really. The statement was issued to all intents and purposes on the 50^th anniversary of Alan joining the Library Theatre at Scarborough. Yet the first steps towards this can be traced back to 1999 and Alan's 60^th birthday; then in interviews he said he would be lightening his workload over the coming years, initially by directing only his own plays. In 2006, Alan suffered a stroke which was always going to have long-term implications - despite the fact he was back at work within six months and has since tackled a directing schedule a man half his age might baulk at. But one imagines, if nothing else, the stroke may have focussed Alan’s mind on his priorities and long-term health. While attention has been focused on how this will affect the Stephen Joseph Theatre, how will it affect theatre-goers wanting to see Alan Ayckbourn's plays in Scarborough? Realistically, little will change. The board’s statement makes it clear Alan intends to direct revivals of his plays and premiere new ones at the Stephen Joseph Theatre. His commitment to the SJT is as strong as ever: since returning to work last September, he has directed the world premiere and subsequent tour of If I Were You, the final two plays in the Intimate Exchanges cycle, re-directed the entire Intimate cycle for New York and will soon be reviving Relatively Speaking. And there's still his revival of A Trip To Scarborough in the SJT's winter season. Patently this is not the schedule of a man intending to cut back on his commitments anytime soon! Alan has also already said in several interviews he intends to write a new play for 2008; inspired by Alain Resnais’s film of Private Fears In Public Places, he apparently intends to set it during an onstage blizzard! In my own opinion, theatre-goers visiting Scarborough to see Alan's plays will notice little change in the coming months and years. There is a commitment to revivals of Alan’s plays and hopefully there will be new plays too. Alan’s decision to lift the moratorium on major tours also means strong revivals of plays such as Bedroom Farce and How The Other Half Loves are taking place around the UK and this trend should continue. 2008 still promises the return of The Norman Conquests to London for the first time since 1974 and the 50th anniversary of The Square Cat is approaching fast in 2009. All in all, Ayckbourn fans have little to worry about and much to look forward to. There looks to be plenty of reasons to continue visiting Scarborough to enjoy Alan's plays for a long time to come. Simon Murgatroyd, 08 June 2007