The Plays: Year-by-Year (1972)

This page contains productions details for all plays produced by Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, during 1972. All information on this page has been researched and compiled by Simon Murgatroyd M.A. from programmes, brochures and newspaper articles.

Summer 1972

All plays were performed in-the-round in the Concert Room at Scarborough Library. The season ran from 23 June to 13 September 1972.

Carmilla

Author:
Adaptation:
New Play:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:

Director:
Costumes:
Music:
David Campton
Sheridan le Fanu's Carmilla
Yes

19 June 1972
19 June 1972
6 September 1972

Alan Ayckbourn
Tina Bicat
Barrie Davenport

Character
Captain Field
Ivan
Laura
Madame Perrodon
Colonel Smithson
Carmilla
Dr Spielsberg
Actor
Ray Jewers
David Hayward
Philippa Urquhart
Matyelok Gibbs
Piers Rogers
Jennifer Piercey
Christopher Godwin

Absurd Person Singular

Author:
New Play:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:

Director:
Alan Ayckbourn
Yes

26 June 1972
26 June 1972
16 September 1972

Alan Ayckbourn
Character
Jane Hopcroft
Sidney Hopcroft
Ronald Brewster-Wright
Marion Brewster-Wright
Eva Jackson
Geoffrey Jackson
Actor
Philippa Urquhart
Piers Rogers
Chistopher Godwin
Matyelok Gibbs
Jennifer Piercey
Ray Jewers

Uncle Vanya

Author:
Translation:
New Play:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:

Director:
Costumes:
Anton Chekhov
David Hampton
No

17 July 1972
17 July 1972
30 August 1972

Alan Ayckbourn
Tina Bicat
Character
Dr Astrov
Marina
Vanya
Serebryakov
Teleyegin
Sonya
Yelena
Madame Voynitsky
Yefim
Actor
Ray Jewers
Jennifer Piercey
Christopher Godwin
Stanley Page
Piers Rogers
Heather Stoney
Philippa Urquhart
Matyelok Gibbs
David Hayward

Tom, Dick & Harry

Author:
New Play:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:

Director:
Peter Blythe
Yes

7 August 1972
7 August 1972
13 September 1972

Alan Ayckbourn
Character
Harry
Tom
Dick
Actor
Stanley Page
Ray Jewers
David Hayward

Tranio's Box

Author:
New Play:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:

Director:
Costumes:
Jennifer Smith
Yes

9 August 1972
9 August 1972
13 September 1972

Matyelok Gibbs
Tina Bicat
Character
Tranio
Katysue
Bendy the Wizard
Jane
Jackus
Actor
Piers Rogers
Philippa Urquhart
Christopher Godwin
Jennifer Piercey
Matyelok Gibbs

1972 Production Notes

○ During 1972, Alan Ayckbourn was appointed to the seasonal Director of Productions role for the summer season. At the conclusion of the season he was appointed in the permanent role of Artistic Director.
○ Although Carmilla is credited as having its world premiere at the Library Theatre, the company actually performed it for a week prior to 19 June 1972 at the newly opened Sheffield Crucible before transferring to Scarborough; it's premiere is still considered to be at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre though.
○ Absurd Person Singular was, unusually, rehearsed largely in Sheffield as the company preceded the Scarborough season with a production of David Campton's Carmilla at the Crucible theatre.
○ An article in the 13 April 1972 edition of The Stage newspaper indicates the original intention was to produce a modern version of Uncle Vanya; however, the piece was produced in period. Whilst there is no surviving evidence of Alan Ayckbourn's original but unrealised plans, the production is mentioned in the Scarborough Theatre Trust minutes for 15 January 1972. There it notes the season will include "a modern version of Uncle Vanya by Chekov [sic]." During the next board meeting, dated 5 February 1972, Alan Ayckbourn is reported to have presented his plans for the season which again include - and was accepted by the board - a "modern version of Uncle Vanya by Chekov [sic]" would be produced.
○ Yorkshire-born Peter Blythe - who made his playwriting debut with Tom, Dick & Harry - was better known as an actor and during a long career acted with companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre.
○ Tranio's Box was the first play produced at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, specifically intended for children. It was also toured to hospitals, play-schools and other venues.

Advertised Programme

○ Carmilla
○ Absurd Person Singular
○ Carmilla
○ Absurd Person Singular
○ Carmilla
○ Uncle Vanya
○ Absurd Person Singular
○ Uncle Vanya
○ Carmilla
○ Tom, Dick and Harry
○ Absurd Person Singular
○ Tom, Dick and Harry
○ Uncle Vanya
○ Carmilla
○ Tom, Dick and Harry
○ Absurd Person Singular
19 - 24 Jun
26 - 28 Jun
29 Jun - 5 Jul
6 - 12 Jul
13 - 15 Jul
17 - 19 Jul
20 - 26 Jul
27 Jul - 2 Aug
3 - 5 Aug
7 - 9 Aug
10 - 16 Aug
17 - 23 Aug
24 - 30 Aug
31 Aug - 6 Sept
7 - 13 Sept
14 - 16 Sept

Actual Programme

○ Carmilla
○ Absurd Person Singular
○ Carmilla
○ Absurd Person Singular
○ Carmilla
○ Uncle Vanya
○ Absurd Person Singular
○ Uncle Vanya
○ Carmilla
○ Tom, Dick and Harry
○ Tranio's Box
○ Absurd Person Singular
○ Tom, Dick and Harry
○ Tranio's Box
○ Uncle Vanya
○ Carmilla
○ Tom, Dick and Harry
○ Tranio's Box
○ Absurd Person Singular
19 - 24 Jun
26 - 28 Jun
29 Jun - 5 Jul
6 - 12 Jul
13 - 15 Jul
17 - 19 Jul
20 - 26 Jul
27 Jul - 2 Aug
3 - 5 Aug
7 - 9 Aug
9 Aug
10 - 16 Aug
17 - 23 Aug
19 - 23 Aug
24 - 30 Aug
31 Aug - 6 Sept
7 - 13 Sept
7 - 13 Sept
14 - 16 Sept
Production and dates in bold italics indicate alterations from the originally advertised programme.
All information for this page has been researched and compiled by Simon Murgatroyd and should not be reproduced without permission. Any approved reproduction of information from this page should always credit 'A Round Town (www.theatre-in-the-round.co.uk).