DOCSLIB.ORG

Moral Consciousness in Alan Ayckborn's Seven Major

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Moral Consciousness in Alan Ayckborn's Seven Major MORAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN ALAN AYCKBORN’S SEVEN MAJOR PLAYS A Thesis Submitted to Hemchandrachary North Gujarat University, Patan For The Degree Of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENGLISH By RAJESHKUMAR .A. PATEL Smt.R.R.H.Patel Mahila Arts College, Vijapur Under the Guidance of Dr. VASANT S. PATEL Retired Principal Shri & Smt. P.K.Kotawala Arts College, Patan March 2009 C E R T I F I C A T E This is to certify that the content of this thesis entitled “MORAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN ALAN AYCKBORN’S SEVEN MAJOR PLAYS”, to be submitted by Rajeshkumar A.. Patel carried out under my supervision, is the original research work for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English. I further certify that no chapter of the work has been submitted either partly or fully to other university or institute for the award of any degree. Signature of the Guide CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION I hereby declare that the work incorporated in the present thesis is original and has not been submitted to any University or institute for the award of a diploma or degree. I further declare that considerations made there in the thesis contribute in general to the advancement of knowledge in English and in particular to “MORAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN ALAN AYCKBORN’S SEVEN MAJOR PLAYS”. Signature of the Candidate PREFACE It was a wonderful and spiritual experience to go through a topic related to moral consciousness. Moral consciousness has been the prime function of literature. I passed through thrilling sensations while working on different aspects of moral consciousness presented in select plays. I am most grateful to my guide Dr.Vasant S.Patel who made close, helpful, encouraging and often indispensable comments on various aspects related to the thesis. I am obliged to him for considering me fit as a student. In a world torn by all kinds of conflicts, the voice of Alan Ayckbourn breathes the tone of sanity and the spirit of humanism – the significant values of modern life. Alan Ayckbourn’s excellent study of human nature and human motives pertaining to changing trends of morality is absolutely realistic and convincing. The divergent trends and tendencies of morality appearing in his work, are relevant to the present times and it has influenced me a lot in learning how to live better life. I hope that the thesis may help the readers and learners of Alan Ayckbourn in comprehending his work with a new angle. I would like to thank Shri Nanabhai V. Nadoda who helped me in downloading my ideas in computer with speed and excellence. I am obliged to him for his kind support. I am also grateful to Shri Kiritbhai Sharma, his family and relatives residing in London for their kind support in sending books and reference books from London in case of unavailability in India. I am obliged to my principal Dr.S.S.Patel, colleagues -Shri.P.M.Prajapati, Shri.M.H.Vankar, Shri.V.B.Patel, Shri.Dr.B.M.Prajapati, Shri P.R.Pandya for their guidance if and when needed. I thank the department of English comprising of Smt.J.K.Vohra and Shri A.S.Kapoor who showed their eagerness to help me at every step. Dr.J.M.Patel encouraged me for completion of the thesis in time. Besides, I am grateful to non-teaching staff members Shri V.M.Patel, Shri R.R.Ravat, Shri D.N.Patel, Shri S.M.Patel, Shri R.J.Brabhmbhatt, Shri J.J.Rathod, Shri D.S.Kharadi, Shri B.L.Bhangi who supported me indirectly for moral strength with their wishes. I am grateful to them all. Shri S.K.Parmar, librarian extended his help to me at every step. In addition, I am most grateful to my parents Shri A.N.Patel, Smt.I.A.Patel, wife Ritaben, brothers – N.A.Patel, K.A.Patel, sisters-in-law Alpaben, Anilaben, sister Gayatriben, brother-in-low Pravinkumar, younger members Archita, Mileshkumar, Nirav, Archit, Arpit, Rutvij, Heli, Utkarsh, Zil for their blessings, compliments and best wishes. Rajeshkumar A.Patel “In life, you get moments – just occasionally which you can positively identify as being among the happy moments. They come up occasionally, even take you by surprise and sometimes you are so busy worrying about tomorrow or thinking about yesterday that you tend to miss out on them all together.” ALAN AYCKBOURN AND MORAL CONSCIOUSNESS Art implants in people unorthodox ideas; it breaks the molds of provincialism in which people have been brought up; it disturbs and disquiets since it tends to emphasize individuality rather than conformity and works of art are often created of rebellion or disenchantment with the established order. Literature is the finest form of art which mirrors society. As literature teaches us to be better, it also preaches moral lessons. Improving the society, moral values are at the depth of literary works. Though aestheticism and moralism differ from one another yet they are entirely related. Plato and Tolstoy favoured moral values in literary works. John Addington Symonds discussed literature as a criticism of life and added: If one thing is proved with certainty by the whole history of literature down to our own time, it is the self - preservative instinct of humanity rejects such art as does not contribute to its intellectual nutrition and moral sustenance… All art to be truly great, must be moralized -- must be in harmony with those principles of conduct, that tone of feeling which it is the self - preservative instinct of civilized humanity to strengthen… 1 Alan Ayckbourn, after Shakespeare alone, is Britain’s most performed playwright and acknowledged as one of its most skilful directors. Dismissed first as mere boulevardier he is now seen as a modern comic playwright. In 1997, for services to the theatre, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon the playwright who has for thirty years written plays for the Theatre- in- the- Round, Scarborough,the title of Sir Alan Ayckbourn. He may be introduced in the following aspects. 1.1 Life Alan Ayckbourn is still writing for the stage. A brief report of his life is as under: Alan Ayckbourn was born in Hampstead, London on 12 April, 1939. His mother was a novelist Irene Worley (Mary ‘Lolly’ James) and his father, Irene’s second husband Horace Ayckbourn was a distinguished orchestral violinist with the London Symphony Orchestra. Alan Ayckbourn was educated at the historic Haileybury Public School in Hertford. In 1946 the mother remarried a bank manager and he had to live at Billingshurst, Wisborough Green, Horsham, Uckfield, Heyward’s Heath and Leaves. Ayckbourn got Barclay’s Bank Scholarship to Haileybury school. At 17 he left school and started writing house plays. He edited house magazine. He toured Netherlands in school production of Romeo and Juliet (1955) as well as eastern USA and Canada in 1956 for Macbeth. Ayckbourn was good at cricket. He left school with “A’’ level in English and History. He joined the renowned theatre impressario Sir Donald Wolfit’s acting company for three weeks working as an assistant stage manager. He worked as unpaid student assistant stage manager at Worthing. From there he moved to Thorndike Theatre, Leatherhead. Ayckbourn met Rodney Wood who invited him to join the Library Theatre, Scarborough. Stephen Joseph, one of the forces, got on well with Ayckbourn and became a mentor to him. His acting inadvertently led to his first professional commission as a writer. In 1958 Alan Ayckbourn. Complained Stephen for better roles. Stephen made a condition that he should write his own play. Alan Ayckbourn wrote The Square Cat which was a big success for the company in the summer, 1959. Stephen commissioned a second play. Alan Ayckbourn married Christine Allen in 1959. They had two sons but separated some years later. He continued to act and to write for the Studio Theatre Company in Scarborough until 1962 when he was involved in the formation of the Victoria Theatre, Stoke - on - Trent with Stephen Joseph and Peter Cheeseman. He produced Mr.Whatnot in London in 1964. He started his career as radio producer for the B.B.C. in Leeds. He used the pseudonym ‘Peter Caulfield’ during 1965-9. He became director of productions at Scarborough in 1970. After the death of Stephen Joseph he worked hard with Ken Boden, Alfred Bradley and Rodney Wood to keep Library Theatre active. He left Scarborough for two years to direct for the National Theatre Company in London during 1986-7. In 1987 he returned to Scarborough. Since 1996 he has directed plays at Stephen Joseph Theatre. In 1997 he married Heather Stoney and was honoured with the title ‘Sir Alan Ayckbourn’. He has been writing, directing plays. He has written 69 full plays and more than 20 revues and a few short plays for children. There is a fine chart of biographical outline in Alan Ayckbourn by Michael Holt as follow: 1939 Born 12 April in Hampstead, father a violinist ,mother a writer of romantic novels 1940 Weekly boarder at local boarding school. Mother remarries a bank manager. Lives at Billingshurst, Wisborough Green, Horsham Uckfield, Hayward’s Heath, and Lewes. 1941 Barclay’s Bank Scholarship to Haileybury School. Writes house plays; edits house magazine; tours Netherlands in school production of Romeo and Juliet (1955); and eastern USA and Canada in Macbeth (1956) Also’ quite good at cricket’ 1956-7 Leaves school with A levels in English and History. Acting assistant stage manager with sir Donald Wolfit’s production at Edinburgh Festival. Unpaid student assistant stage manager at Working with small walkon barts. Then weekly rep in Leatherhead, summer season in Oxford as stage manager/actor.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Plays and Pinot: Bedroom Farce
    Plays and Pinot: Bedroom Farce Synopsis Trevor and Susannah, whose marriage is on the rocks, inflict their miseries on their nearest and dearest: three couples whose own relationships are tenuous at best. Taking place sequentially in the three beleaguered couples’ bedrooms during one endless Saturday night of co-dependence and dysfunction, beds, tempers, and domestic order are ruffled, leading all the players to a hilariously touching epiphany. About the Playwright Alan Ayckbourn, in full Sir Alan Ayckbourn, (born April 12, 1939, London, England), is a successful and prolific British playwright, whose works—mostly farces and comedies—deal with marital and class conflicts and point out the fears and weaknesses of the English lower-middle class. He wrote more than 80 plays and other entertainments, most of which were first staged at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. At age 15 Ayckbourn acted in school productions of William Shakespeare, and he began his professional acting career with the Stephen Joseph Company in Scarborough. When Ayckbourn wanted better roles to play, Joseph told him to write a part for himself in a play that the company would mount if it had merit. Ayckbourn produced his earliest plays in 1959–61 under the pseudonym Roland Allen. His plays—many of which were performed years before they were published—included Relatively Speaking (1968), Mixed Doubles: An Entertainment on Marriage (1970), How the Other Half Loves (1971), the trilogy The Norman Conquests (1973), Absurd Person Singular (1974), Intimate Exchanges (1985), Mr. A’s Amazing Maze Plays (1989), Body Language (1990), Invisible Friends (1991), Communicating Doors (1995), Comic Potential (1999), The Boy Who Fell into a Book (2000), and the trilogy Damsels in Distress (2002).
    [Show full text]
  • List of Play Sets
    Oxfordshire County Council List of Play Sets Available from the Oxford Central Library 2015 Oxford Central Library – W e s t g a t e – O x f o r d – O X 1 1 D J Author Title ISBN Copies Cast Genre Russell, Willy Shirley Valentine: A play T000020903 2 1f Comedy (Dramatic) Churchill, Caryl Drunk enough to say I love you? T000096352 3 2m Short Play, Drama Churchill, Caryl Number T000026201 3 2m Drama Fourie, Charles J. Parrot woman T000037314 3 1m, 1f Harris, Richard The business of murder T000348605 3 2m, 1f Mystery/Thriller Pinter, Harold The dumb waiter: a play T000029001 3 2m Short Play Plowman, Gillian Window cleaner: a play T000030648 3 1m, 1f Short Play Russell, Willy Educating Rita T000026217 3 1m, 1f Comedy (Dramatic) Russell, Willy Educating Rita T000026217 3 Simon, Neil They're playing our song T000024099 3 1m, 1f Musical; Comedy Tristram, David Inspector Drake and the Black Widow: a comedy T000035350 3 2m, 1f Comedy Ayckbourn, A., and others Mixed doubles: An entertainment on marriage T000963427 4 2m, 1f Anthology Ayckbourn, Alan Snake in the grass: a play T000026203 4 3f Drama Bennett, Alan Green forms (from Office suite) N000384797 4 1m, 2f Short Play; Comedy Brittney, Lynn Ask the family: a one act play T000035640 4 2m, 1f Short Play; Period (1910s) Author Title ISBN Copies Cast Genre Brittney, Lynn Different way to die: a one act play T000035647 4 2m, 2f Short Play Camoletti, Marc; Happy birthday 0573111723 4 2m, 3f Adaptation; Comedy Cross, Beverley Chappell, Eric Passing Strangers: a comedy T000348606 4 2m, 2f Comedy (Romantic)
    [Show full text]
  • Alan Ayckbourn: Complete Play List
    Alan Ayckbourn - Complete Writing Credit: Alan Ayckbourn’s Official Website www.alanayckbourn.net License: This resource is available for free reproduction providing it is credited, is not used for commercial purposes and has not been modified without permission. Full Length Plays 1959 The Square Cat 1959 Love After All 1960 Dad’s Tale 1961 Standing Room Only 1962 Christmas V Mastermind 1963 Mr Whatnot 1965 Meet My Father subsequently Relatively Speaking (revised) 1967 The Sparrow 1969 How The Other Half Loves 1970 The Story So Far… subsequently Me Times Me Time Me (revised) subsequently Me Times Me (revised) subsequently Family Circles (revised) 1971 Time And Time Again 1972 Absurd Person Singular 1973 The Norman Conquests comprising Fancy Meeting You subsequently Table Manners Make Yourself At Home subsequently Living Together Round And Round The Garden 1974 Absent Friends 1974 Confusions 1975 Jeeves (with Andrew Lloyd Webber) subsequently By Jeeves (with Andrew Lloyd Webber) (revised) 1975 Bedroom Farce 1976 Just Between Ourselves 1977 Ten Times Table 1978 Joking Apart 1979 Sisterly Feelings 1979 Taking Steps 1980 Suburban Strains (with Paul Todd) 1980 Season’s Greetings 1981 Way Upstream 1981 Making Tracks (with Paul Todd) 1982 Intimate Exchanges comprising Events On A Hotel Terrace Affairs In A Tent Love In The Mist A Cricket Match A Game Of Golf A Pageant A Garden Fete A One Man Protest 1983 It Could Be Any One Of Us subsequently It Could Be Any One Of Us (revised) 1984 A Chorus Of Disapproval 1985 Woman In Mind 1987 A Small Family Business 1987 Henceforward… 1988 Man Of The Moment 1988 Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Other Half PR
    CONTACT: Nancy Richards – 917-873-6389 (cell) /[email protected] MEDIA PAGE: www.northcoastrep.org/press FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE: NORTH COAST REP SERVES UP BANQUET OF FUN IN HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES By Sir Alan Ayckbourn Performances Beginning Wednesday, April 11, 2018 Running Through Sunday, May 6, 2018 Now extended by popular demand to May 13, 2018 Directed by Geoffrey Sherman Solana Beach, CA Britain’s comic genius, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, has penned a fast-paced and hilariously funny theatrical feast that stands as a classic modern comedy. With the precision of a master chef, Sir Ayckbourn mixes three very different marriages into a pot, simmering with sex, jealousy, and liberally spiced with ingenious stagecraft. Full of clever, razor-sharp dialogue and impeccable split-second timing, HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES is a treat you won’t want to miss. Find out why The London Daily Mail called this “a delicious, jolly good show.” Geoffrey Sherman directs Jacqueline Ritz,* James Newcomb,* Sharon Rietkerk,* Christopher M. Williams,* Noelle Marion,* and Benjamin Cole. The design team includes Marty Burnett (Scenic Design), Matthew Novotny (Lighting Design), Aaron Rumley (Sound), Elisa Benzoni (Costumes), and Holly Gillard (Prop Design). Cindy Rumley* is the Stage Manager. *The actor or stage manager appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. For background information and photos, go to www.northcoastrep.org/press. HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES previews begin Wednesday, April 11. Opening Night on Saturday, April 14, at 8pm. There will be a special talkback on Friday, April 20, with the cast and artistic director.
    [Show full text]
  • Ayckbourn's Stage Reaction to Families Buried In
    AYCKBOURN’S STAGE REACTION TO FAMILIES BURIED IN TECHNOLOGY KAĞAN KAYA Cumhuriyet University, Sivas Abstract: The paper analyses the premature warnings of British playwright, Alan Ayckbourn, who foresees that the modern family has been under the onslaught of technology. His dystopia, Henceforward... (1987) , set in the flat of the high-tech addict protagonist, Jerome, tells one of the traditional family stories of the playwright. However, the paper focuses on Ayckbourn’s neglected dramatic mission - that of securing the British family. Keywords: Alan Ayckbourn, British drama, dystopia, family, technology “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” (Tolstoy (2001), 1875-1877:1) 1. Introduction British playwright, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, is often referred to as a famous farceur. However, he is not pleased with this label, because with a “tireless dedication to the idea of theatre and... fierce moral concern with the state of the nation,” (Billington 1989), he has a distinctive multi-dimensional understanding of drama. In fact, he expresses sociologically harsh criticism of British middle-class man through his black comedy, in the light of his vision of drama. Henceforward... , which is the thirty-fourth play of the playwright, is a very noteworthy fraction of Ayckbourn’s tenet, for several reasons. It received the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy in 1989. It was the second quickest transfer of all Alan Ayckbourn plays to the US, Houston’s Alley Theatre. Even the title of the play suggests a kind of manifesto of the playwright which declares that he is resolute in the changes of his drama.
    [Show full text]
  • By Alan Ayckbourn Rep and SF Opera Among Others Including Managing Director of the Center Repertory Nine for Center Rep
    DAVE MAIER (Fight Director) has SCOTT DENISON (Managing Director) has impact on the quality of Center REP’s choreographed violence for several Center been the General Manager for the Lesher productions and has greatly enhanced the REP productions including Red Speedo, Center for the Arts since it opened 28 years experience for Center REP’s audiences. Baskerville, Born Yesterday, and Mirandolina. ago and has worked for the Arts in this area Grant-making decisions are based on the CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY He is the resident fight director at California for over 45 years. Scott has directed over vision of Dean and Margaret Lesher who felt Michael Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director Shakespeare Theatre and San Francisco Opera. 150 productions, including The Wizard of Oz, quality education, diverse art programs, and His work has been seen at many bay area the musical hit Cinderella, Disney’s Beauty healthy children and families are the building theaters including Berkeley Rep, American and the Beast, Hairspray, The Music Man, blocks of a strong and vibrant community. Conservatory Theatre, Magic Theatre, Marin Les Misérables and for the past 20 seasons Theatre Company, Ubuntu Theatre Project Center REP’s A Christmas Carol as well as ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY and Shotgun Players. He is recognized as all Fantasy Forum productions since 1970. a Master Fight Director with Dueling Arts He created and produces the annual Shellie Center REP is the resident, professional International and has won several awards for Awards now celebrating 40 years. Scott has theatre company of the Lesher Center for the his work including the 2018 Theatre Bay Area also designed lights for over 250 productions, Arts.
    [Show full text]
  • House & Garden
    2008-2009 SEASON / WELCOME TO C T3 PEOPLE HOUSE & GARDEN A couple of months ago I had asked Jae Alder, BOARD OF DIRECTORS 'Hey! Who's directing House and Garden?' He CHAIRSonja J. McGill LIAISON, CITY OF DALLAS CULTURAL COMMISSION looked at me fora full fiveseconds, and then he TailimSong said 'Um ....You are.' BOARD MEMBERS JacAlder, Nancy Cochran, Roland ll[VirginiaDykes, David G. Luther, Patsy Here are the reasons I didn't completely freakout. P. Yung Micale, Jean M. Nelson,Shanna Nugent, It's all about trust. Valerie W. Pelan, Eileen Rosenblum, PhD, Enika 1) I trust myself Anybody that knows Eves = Absurd Person Sh1gular - that sort Schulze, John & Bonnie Strauss, AnnStuart, PhD, Katherine Ward, Karen Washington, Linda R. me knows I am constantly working on of thing. So I figure he has this whole Zimmerman multiple projects at the same time. I 'being in two places at one time' concept HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS GaryW. Grubbs, do this because I have artistic needs. down cold. And if you are going to trust Elizabeth Rivera, JanetSpencer Shaw Like paying my rent. So directing what anybody to do their homework and CORPORATE ADVISORY COUNCIL amounts to two full length productions get the mechanics of a tricky conceit TNS PARTNERS Jim Chambers simultaneously? A walk in the park ... like this worked out, it's going to be ALLIE BETH ALLMAN &ASSOCIATES Ayckbourn. I knew I could trust this Bill & MarsueWilliams 2) I trust Jae. He is my mentor. He GABLES RESIDENTIAL Cindy Davis whole schlemeil to work. And it does. usually knows how to match up a HEALTH SEARCH, LLC Dodie Butler A Class Act Thank God.
    [Show full text]
  • Intimate Exchanges
    40th Season • 388th Production JULIANNE ARGYROS STAGE / MARCH 7 - 28, 2004 David Emmes Martin Benson PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR presents INTIMATE EXCHANGES BY Alan Ayckbourn SCENIC DESIGN COSTUME DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN SOUND DESIGN James Youmans Angela Balogh Calin York Kennedy Drew Dalzell ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PRODUCTION MANAGER STAGE MANAGER Michael Ambrosio Jeff Gifford *Jamie A. Tucker DIRECTED BY Martin Benson HONORARY PRODUCERS: The Citigroup Private Bank Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Intimate Exchanges • SOUTH COAST REPERTORY P1 CAST OF CHARACTERS Celia Teasdale, Sylvie Bell, Irene Pridworthy .................... *Kandis Chappell Toby Teasdale, Lionel Hepplewick, Miles Coombes ............. *Richard Doyle SCENES Act I. Scene 1. Celia and Toby Teasdale’s garden Scene 2. The Teasdales’ garden, five days later Intermission Act II. Scene 1. VIP tent on the school grounds, five weeks later Scene 2. A churchyard, five years later LENGTH Approximately two hours, including one 15-minute intermission. PRODUCTION STAFF Casting Director ............................................................... Joanne DeNaut Dramaturg ................................................................................ Jerry Patch Production Assistant ......................................................... Chrissy Church Assistant Set Designers .............................. Mark Copans, Jerome Martin Costume Design Assistant ........................................................ Julie Keen Stage Management
    [Show full text]
  • The Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical Based on the Jeeves Stories by P.G
    SPOTLIGHT ON THEATER NOTES PRODUCED BY THE PERFORMANCE PLUS™ PROGRAM, KENNEDY CENTER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THE ALAN AYCKBOURN AND ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER MUSICAL BASED ON THE JEEVES STORIES BY P.G. WODEHOUSE logo designed by Dewynters plc., London TM © 1996 RUG Ltd. TM © 1996 RUG London plc., Dewynters designed by logo Y EEVES “The Fairy Tale World B J Jeevesorever joined and at the comic Bertie hip, Reginald Jeeves and Bertram Wilberforce Wooster are in the front rank of Fdroll characters invented in the 20th century. of P.G.odehouse Wodehouse” biographer Richard Jeeves is the perfect manservant. Bertie (“Bertram Voorhees* points out that BERTheTIE WOO STCharactersER TheTHE SCENE Story: A church hall, later to represent a London Wilberforce” is reserved for the rarest of occasions) is the WWodehouse’s fiction belongs “spiri- John Scherer flat and the house and grounds of Totleigh Towers. far-from-perfect master. Through the imagination of P.G. tually to the world of Victoria and Edward VII,” a THE TIME: This very evening. Wodehouse they have found a happy symbiosis, not unlike world “roughly limited on one side by the EEVES his manservant J , Eager to contribute to the festivities of a charity benefit that of naughty child and protective parent. Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria [1897] and Richard Kline performance in an English village hall, dim-but-affable Given Bertie’s propensity for foolish capers and his limited on the other by the introduction of the cross- Bertie Wooster bursts on stage strumming a frying pan. HONORIA GLOSSOP, his ex-fiance vocabulary, it is a bit difficult to understand how he managed word puzzle [1925].” To his confusion and chagrin, he realizes that the pan has Donna Lynne Champlin to graduate such prestigious institutions of learning as Eton been substituted for his stolen banjo.
    [Show full text]
  • A Technician in the Wings: Ayckbourn's Comic Potential Stephanie Tucker
    Spring 2003 71 A Technician in the Wings: Ayckbourn's Comic Potential Stephanie Tucker Alan Ayckboum has spent his entire professional life in the theater. Before becoming a director and playwright, he worked as "a stage manager, sound technician, lighting technician, scene painter, prop-maker and actor."^ He wrote his first play at 20, encouraged by his mentor Stephen Joseph, who, in response to Ayckboum's distaste for the role of Nicky in John van Druten's Bell Book and Candle, suggested that the young actor write himself a promising part. So he did—Jerry Wattis in The Square Cat "It was a piece of wish-fulfillment for the lad who fancied being a rock star—a central role for himself in which he got to dress up in glitzy teddy-boy drapes and play (very badly, apparently!) rock 'n' roll guitar."^ A dream, realized by an actor, in a fiction he had created! Boundaries between life and art had already begun to blur. That was in 1959. Since then Ayckboum has written sixty-one^ more plays, including two trilogies, a dramatic diptych, and several musicals. Because his plays are commercially successful, his subject matter the trials and woes of the middle classes, his genre of choice comedy-cum-farce, the playwright was initially perceived "as the inheritor of the lightweight boulevardier mantle recently worn by Terence Rattigan, Peter Ustinov and Enid Bagnold'"^—and, as such, dismissed as a minor if prodigiously productive playwright. According to Michael Billington, this critical prejudice has persisted, at least until 1990: "Alan Ayckboum is popular.
    [Show full text]
  • A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Luke Miller
    Darlington Theatre Players Present A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Luke Miller 5 - 27 July 2019 MARLOO THEATRE An Amateur Production BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ORiGiN™ THEATRICAL, ON BEHALF OF SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. Please turn off your mobile and kindly do not take any photos. Also, it is strictly forbidden for audience members to make any form of recording of this production. Darlington Theatre Players Inc. Darlington Theatre Players Inc. (DTP) was established to encourage participation in all aspects of theatrical arts. Formalised from an existing group in the artistic hills of Darlington east of Perth, Western Australia in 1956, early performances were in the local hall, formerly a wine cellar. Following representations from DTP, the local shire built the main hall next to the existing hall in 1960, and later rebuilt the stage house and added the verandah and toilet block to the structure in 1978. In 1984 they took up a lease on the disused old Greenmount Primary School in Marloo Road. After several building projects financed from their own resources, and from Federal, State and Local Government grants, DTP have one of the best equipped local theatres in the Perth area – the Marloo Theatre. About the Playwright Alan Ayckbourn Alan has worked in theatre as a playwright and director for over sixty years, rarely if ever tempted by television or film, which perhaps explains why he continues to be so prolific. To date he has written more than 80 plays, many one act plays and a large amount of work for the younger audience. His work has been translated into over 35 languages, is performed on stage and television throughout the world and has won countless awards.
    [Show full text]
  • Alan Ayckbourn Woman Mind in PROSCENIUM St October to Saturday 2 Nd November 2019
    PROSCENIUM Woman in Mind By Alan Ayckbourn Woman inMind Woman Thursday 31st October to Saturday 2nd November 2019 Compass Theatre, Ickenham Woman in Mind Alan Ayckbourn The Cast Susan ............................................................................... Izzie Cartwright Bill .................................................................................. Mark Sutherland Andy ......................................................................................... Paul Davis Tony ............................................................................... Charles Anthony Gerald ................................................................................. Neville Price Muriel ................................................................................ Hannah Lester Rick ................................................................................... Jamie Richards Lucy ................................................................................. Jenny O'Connor Directed by ...................................................................... Shirley Wootten Stage Manager ................................................................ Crystal Anthony Assistant Stage Manager ............................................... Angie Sutherland Janet Harrison Costumes ............................................................................. Angela Evans Anne Gerrard Crystal Anthony Soundtrack ..................................................................... Charles Anthony Lighting and Sound Operation .........................................
    [Show full text]