Ayckbourn Chronology: 1969

Notable Events

During 1969, Alan Ayckbourn…

wrote material for the ITV television series Hark At Barker under the pseudonym of Peter Caulfield as his contract with the BBC prevented him working for other companies.

was appointed Director Of Productions at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, for the summer season.

saw the first television adaptation of one of his plays with a 90 minute version of Relatively Speaking, starring Donald Sinden and Celia Johnson, broadcast by the BBC.

wrote his first successful children's play Ernie's Incredible Illucinations as a result of being commissioned to write a children's play for a new publication.

sees two of what will become his most produced pieces published for the first time with the one act play Countdown published as part of Mixed Doubles and his short play for children Ernie's Incredible Illucinations.

World Premieres

How The Other Half Loves
31 July: Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough

Notable Ayckbourn Productions

Countdown
9 April: Comedy Theatre, London
Note: Presented as part of
Mixed Doubles

Professional Directing

How The Other Half Loves *
A Little Stiff Built Chap *
The Dynamic Death-Defying Leap Of Peter Satupon The Great *

* Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough

Plays In Other Media

Relatively Speaking
Television: 2 March, BBC1

Quotes

"I like the place [Leeds] and I like the work [Radio Drama Producer for the BBC]. I don't, after all, consider myself exclusively a writer. Working on other people's work for a large part of the day helps me with my own."
(Radio Times, 27 February 1969)

"There is always the temptation when you do write a hit play to let yourself be gathered up in some sycophantic set. Successful young playwrights are, after all, nice things to be able to have at your party. But one of the beauties of living in Leeds is that it helps you keep your feet on the ground. Most people around here, for instance, would be a lot more impressed to know I'd written an episode of a television soap opera than a play which ran in the West End."
(Radio Times, 27 February 1969)

"I suppose there must be room for one clown in the writing business. I mean, I know people are dying, but people are also living. And living, at that, in extraordinary and hilarious situations."
(Radio Times, 27 February 1969)
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd and copyright of Haydonning Ltd. Please do not reproduce without permission of the copyright holder.