Ayckbourn Chronology: 1963

Notable Events

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Alan Ayckbourn in The Rainbow Machine
© Haydonning Ltd

During 1963, Alan Ayckbourn…

directed one of his own plays for the first time with a revival of Standing Room Only at the Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent.

directed the world premiere of one of his own plays for the first time with Mr Whatnot at the Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent.

directed a revival of Standing Room Only, which was credited as a play by Alan Ayckbourn - rather than the pseudonym Roland Allen to whom it was originally credited. As result, Standing Room Only is considered the earliest play to be attributed to Alan Ayckbourn.

had Standing Room Only optioned for a television play for ITV's Armchair Theatre; the play is never produced.

Quotes

"I don't make a lot of money writing plays; in fact this one [Mr Whatnot] is the first I have sold. But I enjoy it and being an actor it helps me to understand playwriting from an actor's point of view."
(The Times, 20 November 1963)

World Premieres

Mr Whatnot
12 November: The Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Professional Directing

Mr Whatnot *
Standing Room Only *
The Referees *
The Mating Season *
The Rainbow Machine *
Miss Julie *

Professional Acting

Teds's Cathedral (Anderson) *
The Rehearsal (The Count) *
Waiting For Godot (Vladimir) *
An Awkward Number (Robert) *
A Man For All Seasons (Thomas More) *
The Rainbow Machine (Jordan) *
Miss Julie (Jean) *
Two For The Seesaw (Jerry Ryan) *
The Dumb Waiter (Ben) *
The Collection (Harry) *
Gaslight (Mr Manningham) *
The Caretaker (Aston) *
The Prisoner (The Interrogator) *
* The Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd and copyright of Haydonning Ltd. Please do not reproduce without permission of the copyright holder.