The Complete Plays: A Trip To Scarborough (1982)

Production Details
Title:
Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:
A Trip To Scarborough
Alan Ayckbourn
Yes

Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round
Main house (Round)
Round
First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
8 December 1982
8 December 1982
1 January 1983
Company Details
Director:
Lighting:
Design:
Music:

Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn
Francis Lynch
Michael Holt
Paul Todd

Isobel Nimmo
Eric Lumsden
Mathew Claridge
Jeff Golding
Anneke Harrison
Richard Garnett
Character
Miss Hoyden / Holly / Mrs Holland
Pestle
Gander
Capt. Townly / Col. Townley / John Townly
Maj. Loveless / Mr Loveless / Mr Love
Amanda Courtney / Mrs Love / Amanda Loveless
Tim Farmer / Tom Fashion / Flt. Lt. Faversham
Bill Lorimer / Flt. Sgt. Lawkins / Lory
Sir George Tunberry / Wing Cmdr. Tunbry / Sir Tunbelly Clumsy
Muriel Tunberry / Mrs Coopland / Nurse
Lord Foppington / Len Foppington / Lance Foppington
Mel
Don
Ray
Actor
Gillian Bevan
Richard Garnett
Graeme Eton
John Peters

Russell Dixon
Ursula Mohan

Michael Cashman

Terence Booth
Randal Herley

Elizabeth Kelly
John Arthur

Paul Todd
Iain Hawkins
Dave Newton
Why is this play significant?
The clue's in the title! Although Alan Ayckbourn was not a great fan of Sheridan's play - which in itself had next to nothing to do with Scarborough - he was asked so often about the play, he decided to look at it and then adapt it. Jettisoning all but the basics of Sheridan's plot, he added two subplots set during World War II and the present day, looking at how the idea of a hero has changed through the centuries. The play was originally set in the town's Royal Hotel - then one of the most famed and opulent hotels in the town, being run by Tom Laughton. When Alan revived it in the 2000s, the hotel had fallen onto hard times and Alan changed the setting to a non-specific hotel in the town.
Links
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd. Image copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust