Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre: 1961

This page contains a more detailed guide to significant events concerning Scarborough's Theatre in the Round at the Library in 1961.

1961

1961 At A Glance

Artistic Director
Stephen Joseph

Summer Season Dates
12 June - 9 September

Performances
Mon to Sat at 8pm
Wed at 2.30pm

Ticket Prices
5/- (25p) & 3/6 (17.5p)
Concessions: 2/6 (12.5p)
Saturdays: 3/6 (17.5p)
Matinees: 2/6 (12.5p)

Winter Season Dates
11 - 30 December

Performances
Mon to Sat at 7.30pm
Wed & Sat at 2.30pm

Ticket Prices
5/- (25p) & 3/6 (17.5p)
Under 18s: 2/6 (12.5p)
OAPS: 1/- (5p)
  • 2 January: At a Scarborough town council meeting, the funding of an adaptable theatre (priced at £50,000) is discussed and declined with the council voting by two against funding the venture.
  • February: Newcastle-under-Lyme town council approves funding for £99,000 for a purpose-built theatre in the round in the town. Stephen Joseph confirms Studio Theatre Ltd will leave Scarborough if the venue is built; the purpose-built venue never comes to fruition.
  • 10 June: An article in the Yorkshire Post declares that Alan Ayckbourn "is ready for the commercial theatre and should progress to the proscenium arch" and move away from theatre-in-the-round!
  • 12 June: The summer season opens with Laurence Hausman's Victoria Regina; apparently one of Stephen Joseph's favourite plays. The play is advertised with the note: "Our edition of the play includes material that has been licensed by the Lord Chamberlain for the first time."
  • Arguably Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre's first repertory company is formed when the same company performs both the summer and winter seasons at the venue for the first time. Stephen Joseph notes this is to the benefit of the company and patrons: "This is a great advantage as it means that we are all experienced in working in-the-round and are used to working together - both factors important to a company trying to achieve a high standard."
  • 7 - 8 September: The popularity of Alan Ayckbourn's fourth play Standing Room Only leads to extra performances being arranged at the end of the season.
  • 14 September: The Stage announces Peter Cheeseman is to leave Derby Playhouse to become Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre's new manager.
  • 2 November: The Studio Theatre company performs at the Wellingborough Trade Union Festival - the famous Centre 42 festival organised by the playwright Arnold Wesker.
  • 11 December: The winter season opens with an adaptation of David Copperfield by Joan Macalpine, who was also the company's theatre manager.
  • Studio Theatre Ltd is recognised as a charity during the winter.
  • The programme acknowledges financial assistance from the Arts Council of Great Britain as well as receiving "a grant from the Gulbenkian Foundation to enable two to extend our tours of theatreless towns."
  • Studio Theatre Ltd is advertised as being a member of the Council of Repertory Theatres.
Article by and copyright of Simon Murgatroyd. Please do not reproduce this article without permission of the copyright holder.