Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre: Designs
Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, was Stephen Joseph's first practical attempt at a theatre-in-the-round space and home to the UK's first professional in-the-round company. The venue was based in the Concert Room on the first floor of Scarborough Library and was a temporary build - the theatre was seasonal throughout its 21 years at the venue. The theatre was based on portable rostra for the seating (which also facilitated touring of the space) and was limited to the two existing entrances to the room. The venue held 248 seats.This page holds a variety of designs for Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, all of which were drawn by Stephen Joseph. Click on an image to enlarge.
Stephen Joseph's earliest known design for his proposed theatre space in the Concert Room at Scarborough Library. This sketch was included in a letter to the Chief Librarian William Smettem in early 1957.
Copyright: Stephen Joseph
Holding: Scarborough Library
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright: Stephen Joseph
Holding: Scarborough Library
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
An illustration by Stephen Joseph of the acting space at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre from 1955. It is based on a photo which can be seen on the Images page.
Copyright: Stephen Joseph
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright: Stephen Joseph
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
A design for the placement of the rostra and layout of Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre circa the early 1960s. This was drawn by Stephen Joseph and illustrates accurately the major issue with the venue with just two entrances both on the same side, which also resulted in a small seating block on that side.
Copyright: Stephen Joseph
Holding: Scarborough Museums & Galleries
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright: Stephen Joseph
Holding: Scarborough Museums & Galleries
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
Related Pages
Image Notes
Copyright regarding many of the images associated with Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre is not clear. From 1955 to 1962, Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre was run by Studio Theatre Ltd which moved from Scarborough to Stoke-on-Trent in 1962 leading to the Scarborough company being run by Theatre in the Round Ltd from 1962 - 1963 and Scarborough Theatre Trust from 1964 to 1976.
No documentation survives regarding what rights or property moved to where and whether or what copyright was transferred between companies. Adding confusion to this is many of the pictures were not commissioned but taken by the theatre manager Ken Boden, who retained copyright of his images.
Matters are further clouded by where items are held. Scarborough Library holds many of Stephen Joseph's early sketches. Ken Boden gifted various parts of his photograph collection along with copyright to both Alan Ayckbourn and Scarborough Theatre Trust, whilst other items are legitimately held in various archives.
Meanwhile no documentation exists which explains what - if any - of Studio Theatre Ltd's holding were retained by Theatre in the Round Ltd in 1962 or whether everything remained with Studio Theatre Ltd. Also, if materials did transfer to Theatre in the Round Ltd, there is also no documentation to say which of its holdings then transferred to Scarborough Theatre Trust Ltd.
With the exception of Ken Boden's photographs - the copyright of which went to either Haydonning Ltd or Scarborough Theatre Trust - it is impossible to say what the copyright situation is regarding any images of theatre in the round in Scarborough between 1955 and 1964 with the greatest likelihood being they are orphaned images.
No documentation survives regarding what rights or property moved to where and whether or what copyright was transferred between companies. Adding confusion to this is many of the pictures were not commissioned but taken by the theatre manager Ken Boden, who retained copyright of his images.
Matters are further clouded by where items are held. Scarborough Library holds many of Stephen Joseph's early sketches. Ken Boden gifted various parts of his photograph collection along with copyright to both Alan Ayckbourn and Scarborough Theatre Trust, whilst other items are legitimately held in various archives.
Meanwhile no documentation exists which explains what - if any - of Studio Theatre Ltd's holding were retained by Theatre in the Round Ltd in 1962 or whether everything remained with Studio Theatre Ltd. Also, if materials did transfer to Theatre in the Round Ltd, there is also no documentation to say which of its holdings then transferred to Scarborough Theatre Trust Ltd.
With the exception of Ken Boden's photographs - the copyright of which went to either Haydonning Ltd or Scarborough Theatre Trust - it is impossible to say what the copyright situation is regarding any images of theatre in the round in Scarborough between 1955 and 1964 with the greatest likelihood being they are orphaned images.
All research by Simon Murgatroyd. Please do not reproduce the images without permission.