History: The year Alan Ayckbourn took on the role of Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre is probably the single mis-quoted fact about his life and career. It is variously stated as anywhere between 1969 and 1972 in publications about the playwright. Yet as far as the records (and Alan Ayckbourn) are concerned, he became the permanent Artistic Director of the theatre in 1972.

Stephen Joseph died in 1967 leaving a vacuum at the Library Theatre, Scarborough. In 1966, the Library Theatre had presented an amateur season but by the time it was realised it was fiscally viable for the theatre to continue professionally in 1967, Stephen was too ill to continue as what was then known as the Director Of Productions. This led to a period when Scarborough Theatre Trust would appoint the Director Of Productions on an annual basis, generally at the Annual General Meeting held each December. This led to the appointment of Rodney Wood as Director Of Productions in 1967 and 1968. In 1969 and 1970, Alan Ayckbourn was asked to be Director Of Productions but there was absolutely no indication it was a permanent job and at each AGM, the minutes record the decision was put to a vote. During both these years, Alan was still working full-time at the BBC in Leeds as a radio drama producer.

In 1971, Caroline Smith became the Director Of Productions at the Library Theatre. Alan had left the BBC, but spent much of the early part of the year in the USA for the American premiere of How The Other Half Loves and played little part in the Library Theatre's summer season, aside from directing his new play Time And Time Again.

Alan was then asked to become the Director Of Productions for the 1972 season. This decision was carried unanimously by the Scarborough Theatre Trust on 15 January 1972 at the AGM. On 12 November 1972, a meeting of the Trust saw it proposed Alan Ayckbourn become Artistic Director of the theatre, which was again unanimously carried. This was the final time the Trust took a vote on the position and from this point the role can be considered to have become permanent.

Alan Ayckbourn has been the Artistic Director since 1972, even during his sabbatical from the theatre from 1986 to 1987 when he directed his own company at the National Theatre. During that period, the programmes clearly indicate Alan was Artistic Director alongside Robin Herford. Alan Ayckbourn will step down as Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre in March 2009.