The Complete Plays: Suburban Strains (1981)

Production Details
Title:
Author / Lyrics:
Music:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:
Suburban Strains
Alan Ayckbourn
Paul Todd
No

Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round
Main house (Round)
Round
First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
14 January 1981
14 January 1981
28 March 1981
Company Details
Director:
Musical Director:
Lighting:
Sound:
Design:
Choreographer:

Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn
Paul Todd
Francis Lynch
Jane Smailes
John Hallé
Sarah Bennett

Simon Whitaker
Eric Lumsden
Sue Merry
Philippa Malbon
Character
Caroline
Kevin
Matthew / Mr Oatman
Jilly / Anne / Miss Dent / Milly
Ivor / Mr Grubland
Douglas / Naylor / Howard
Linda / Joanna

The Band
Keyboards
Guitar
Bass Guitar
Drums
Percussion / Keyboards
Actor
Lavinia Bertram
Michael Simkins
Robin Herford
Marcia Warren
Graeme Eton
Russell Dixon
Tessa Peake-Jones


Dave Newton
Iain Hawkins
Paul Morgan
Ron Wray
Paul Todd
Notes
○ Surburban Strains was revived in January 1981 following its original production in 1980, for a short run in Scarborough before transferring to The Round House in London from 5 February to 14 March 1981. The popularity of the show led to an announcement that following the London run, it would return to Scarborough for nine more performances between 18 to 28 March 1981.
○ Suburban Strains was Alan Ayckbourn's first full length musical contribution with the composer Paul Todd. It was his first full-length musical to be presented in Scarborough, although he had previously collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber on the West End musical Jeeves in 1975.
○ Suburban Strains saw a double revolve installed in the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, which was used to indicate the plot going forward or backwards in time during the musical.
Links
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd. Image copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust