Research: The British Library

The British Library in London holds a significant amount of archival material relating to Alan Ayckbourn - including many of his rarest manuscripts - and Theatre in the Round, including the majority of world premiere play scripts premiered by the company between 1955 and 1965.
This is by no means a comprehensive guide to archive material relating to Alan Ayckbourn at the British Library, but offers a broad view of some of the more significant material available.

○ The Lord Chamberlain's collection holds the original manuscripts for all of Alan Ayckbourn's withdrawn plays between 1959 and 1968 including the only extant copy of his second play Love After All as well as The Square Cat, Dad's Tale, Standing Room Only and Christmas V Mastermind.
○ The Lord Chamberlain's collection also holds original manuscripts for the majority of plays premiered at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre between 1955 and 1965.
○ A complete collection of manuscripts for the majority of Alan Ayckbourn's full length plays.
○ The Ramsay Archive: The complete archive for Alan Ayckbourn's agent - and one of the 20th century's most important literary / theatrical agents - Margaret 'Peggy' Ramsay including correspondence relating to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre.
○ The Pinter Archive: The playwright Harold Pinter's extensive archive.
○ Extensive published works relating to Stephen Joseph, Alan Ayckbourn and regional theatre.

This list is not comprehensive and further enquiries should be directed to the British Library and the catalogues and search engines at the British Library website.
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The Scarborough pages of A Round Town are associated with The Library Theatre / Stephen Joseph Collection at Scarborough Library - which has been catalogued, curated and expanded by Simon Murgatroyd - and The Ayckbourn Collection. Facilitated by Simon Murgatroyd M.A. and donated by Sir Alan and Lady Ayckbourn to Scarborough Museums and Galleries in 2023, this collection of material celebrates the contribution of Alan Ayckbourn, Stephen Joseph and theatre in the round to Scarborough's theatrical history and heritage.