Researching Alan Ayckbourn: The Bob Watson Archive
The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, is where Alan Ayckbourn has premiered the vast majority of his plays since 1959. He was Artistic Director of the venue between 1972 and 2009 and continues to premiere new work at the theatre. In 2018, he was appointed the Director Emeritus of the company.
Although primarily concentrating on the history of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, The Bob Watson Archive does hold material pertinent to the world premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's plays as well as his career as Artistic Director of the venue. The Alan Ayckbourn Collection at The Bob Watson Archive does not hold a catalogue, but a broad outline of what is held in the collection can be found below.
Although primarily concentrating on the history of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, The Bob Watson Archive does hold material pertinent to the world premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's plays as well as his career as Artistic Director of the venue. The Alan Ayckbourn Collection at The Bob Watson Archive does not hold a catalogue, but a broad outline of what is held in the collection can be found below.
Related Archive Resource Pages
○ The Ayckbourn Archive○ The British Library
○ Scarborough Library Collection
○ The Stephen Joseph Papers
○ The Victoria Theatre Collection
The Bob Watson Archive is not accessible to the public due to it primarily being an internal research resource for the company and, more practically due to limited resources, financial constraints and not having a full-time or dedicated Archivist. The Archive has no facility for drop-in visits and no on-site facilities for researchers.
○ Many of Alan Ayckbourn's full-length play-scripts (not original copies).
○ Production prompt scripts for many Ayckbourn premieres and productions at the venue since 1980.
○ Press cuttings for the majority of Alan Ayckbourn's productions at the venue.
○ Programmes, posters and occasional marketing material for the majority of Alan Ayckbourn's productions at the venue.
○ Photographs - production and rehearsal - for the majority of Alan Ayckbourn's productions at the venue.
○ A limited collection of general Alan Ayckbourn press cuttings.
○ Manuscripts, press cuttings, programmes and photographs for the majority of plays produced at the theatre whilst Alan Ayckbourn was Artistic Director of the venue.
○ Press cuttings, programmes and photographs for the majority of plays directed by Alan Ayckbourn at the Stephen Joseph Theatre.