The Complete Plays: Bedroom Farce (1975)

Production Details
Title:
Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:
Bedroom Farce
Alan Ayckbourn
Yes

The Library Theatre, Scarborough
Concert Room
Three-sided
First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
16 June 1975
16 June 1975
13 September 1975
Company Details
Director:
Design:
Costumes:

Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn
Helga Wood
Christine Welch

David Millard
Kevin Wood
Susan Legge
Character
Ernest
Delia
Nick
Jan
Malcolm
Kate
Trevor
Susannah
Actor
Stanley Page
Heather Stoney
Stephen Mallatratt
Janet Dale
Bob Eaton
Eileen O'Brien
Christopher Godwin
Polly Warren
Why is this play significant?
The first production at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre to be commissioned by another company. Bedroom Farce was commissioned as Alan Ayckbourn's first play for the National Theatre, but he insisted - like the vast majority of his plays - it must premiere in Scarborough before its transfer to the National Theatre. This is one of the most successful plays of Alan Ayckbourn's long career and is credited with being the first major success at there National Theatre after it moved to its new South Bank home.
Notes
○ Although premiered at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, Bedroom Farce was actually commissioned by the National Theatre and would become Alan's first production to be staged at that venue. However, the National agreed for the play to have its first production in Scarborough.
○ Commissioned as an end-stage play for the Lyttelton at the National Theatre, Alan initially intended to direct it in-the-round at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough. Unfortunately, the set would not fit as intended into the space and was repurposed for three-sided 'thrust' performance. Alan Ayckbourn did not get the chance to direct it in-the-round as originally intended until its revival at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in 2000.
○ The play was originally going to be titled Bedroom Farce, A Comedy but Alan shortened it as he felt it might be too confusing, despite it being the more accurate title. Bedroom Farce is a title not a descriptive, the play is not a farce.
Links
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd. Image copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust