A Round Town

Theatre in the Round has become a vital part of the North Yorkshire seaside resort of Scarborough since the mid 1950s and the town's association with Alan Ayckbourn and theatre in the round has drawn interest and visitors from around the world.

Inarguably, theatre in the round has played a hugely significant role in the cultural heritage of Scarborough from the second half of the 20th century forward. It was in Scarborough the UK's first professional theatre in the round company was founded, the writing and directing careers of one of the UK's foremost theatre practitioners, Alan Ayckbourn, was launched as well as the careers of numerous writers, actors and directors who have gone on to national and international success. The company is also one of the oldest - if not the oldest - professional company in the UK dedicated to promoting new writing.

This section of the site offers an introduction to theatre in the round in Scarborough and how it came to be so closely associated with the town between 1955 and 2009 when Alan Ayckbourn stepped down as the Artistic Director of the company.
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The Scarborough pages of A Round Town are associated with The Ayckbourn Collection donated to Scarborough Museums and Galleries in 2023. Facilitated by Simon Murgatroyd M.A. and donated by Sir Alan and Lady Ayckbourn, this collection of material celebrates the contribution of Alan Ayckbourn, Stephen Joseph and theatre in the round to Scarborough's theatrical history and heritage.
All research for this section by Simon Murgatroyd. Please do not reproduce the articles or images without permission of the copyright holder.