1960

15 June: The summer season opens with a revival of Ruth Dixon's 'Prentice Pillar, which received its world premiere during Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre's inaugural season.
11 July: The British Dance Drama Theatre begins daily performances at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre called Mimic Dance Theatre at 6.15pm until 6 August. Stephen Joseph, impressed with the company - run by Gerard Bagley - arranges for them to be involved in Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre's Christmas production. Alan Ayckbourn, who will write this play - Dad's Tale, is not informed of this until about to start writing the play!
14 September: The first British In-The-Round Festival is held at The Library Theatre; this festival for amateur companies is adjudicated by Stephen Joseph and attracts companies from around the UK.
Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre receives £6,000 (£2,000 a year for three years) from the Carlouste Gulbenkian Foundation to expand its touring programme to theatreless towns in the UK.
November: An inquiry into building a civic theatre in Scarborough is launched; the stated aim is for a venue primarily in-the-round but also adaptable to end-stage performance. A report presented to the town council on 15 November suggests there would be financial support available for such a development.
12 December: The winter season opens with Peter Shaffer's Five Finger Exercise.

Article by and copyright of Simon Murgatroyd. Please do not reproduce this article without permission of the copyright holder.

A Round Town