The Stephen Joseph / Library Theatre Collection

The Stephen Joseph / Library Theatre Collection is held in archive at Scarborough Library and contains material primarily relating to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre including original programmes, plans and correspondence. It is accessible to the public and is currently being curated and catalogued by theatre historian and archivist, Simon Murgatroyd M.A.

Introduction
This is the most significant single collection of material relating to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre in the UK. It holds material relating to its creation, ongoing work, its founder Stephen Joseph and his successor and protégé Alan Ayckbourn.

Notable items in the collection include…

○ Stephen Joseph's earliest correspondence and notes regarding the creation of the UK's first professional theatre in the round company.
○ Designs for the theatre in the round by Stephen Garrett - the architect who would later become synonymous with the Getty Museum in Malibu.
○ Original programmes for professional works at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre including Alan Ayckbourn's earliest works.
○ Accounts for Studio Theatre Ltd and Scarborough Theatre Trust telling the financial history of the company.

This list is just a taster and more details can be found in the Overview page with an online catalogue to be added in the future.

It is hoped further items of significance will be acquired in the future with details to come.

Simon Murgatroyd, January 2026
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The Library Theatre Collection pages of A Round Town are associated with The Stephen Joseph / Library Theatre Collection held in archive by Scarborough Library. This collection of material is the most significant collection relating to the UK's first professional theatre in the round company founded by Stephen Joseph on the first floor of Scarborough Library in 1955. The collection is currently being curated and catalogued by archivist and theatre historian Simon Murgatroyd.