Alan Ayckbourn: The National Theatre

Alan Ayckbourn has had a strong relationship with the National Theatre and was a Company Director between 1986 and 1988. The National Theatre is the most important venue Alan Ayckbourn is associated with outside of his home theatre in Scarborough.

This page has production details for all of Alan Ayckbourn's plays & plays he has directed at the National Theatre.

Alan Ayckbourn & The National Theatre: Productions

Bedroom Farce (1977)

First performance: 16 March 1977
Final performance: 17 August 1978
Venue: The Lyttelton
Staging: End-stage

Director: Alan Ayckbourn & Peter Hall *
Design: Timothy O’Brien & Tazeena Firth
Lighting: Peter Radmore
Character
Ernest
Delia
Nick
Jan
Malcolm
Kate
Trevor
Susannah
Actor
Michael Gough
Joan Hickson
Michael Kitchen
Polly Adams
Derek Newark
Susan Littler
Stephen Moore
Maria Aitken
Notes: Although Peter Hall is credited as co-director, after initially blocking the piece, he actually left Alan to direct the piece.
During the course of the National Theatre's run, there were several cast changes. These included Michael Stroud (Nick), Janet Key (Jan), Brenda Blethyn (Kate), Delia Lindsay (Susannah) and Sara Kestelman (Susannah).

Sisterly Feelings (1980)

First performance: 3 June 1980
Premiere: 3 / 4 June 1980
Final performance: 5 February 1981
Venue: The Olivier
Staging: End-stage

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Co-Director: Christopher Morahan
Design: Alan Tagg
Lighting: David Hersey
Costumes: Lindy Hemming
Sound: Sue Fortescue
Character
Dr Ralph Matthews
Abigail, his daughter
Dorcas, his daughter
Melvyn, his son
Len, Ralph’s brother-in-law
Rita, Len’s wife
Patrick, Abigail’s husband
Brenda, Melvyn’s fiancée
Simon, her brother
Stafford T Wilkins
Murphy
Major Lidgett
Actor
Andrew Cruickshank
Penelope Wilton
Anna Carteret
Greg Hicks
Michael Bryant
Susan Williamson
Michael Gambon
Selina Cadell
Stephen Moore
Simon Callow
Michael Fenner
Gordon Whiting

Way Upstream (1982)

First performance: 14 August 1982
Premiere:
4 October 1982
Final performance: 19 April 1983
Venue: The Lyttelton
Staging: End-stage

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Alan Tagg
Lighting: William Bundy
Music: Paul Todd
Character
Keith
June, his wife
Alistair, his partner
Emma, his wife
Mrs Hatfield
Vince
Fleur
Actor
Tony Haygarth
Susan Fleetwood
Jim Norton
Julie Legrand
Jane Downs
James Laurenson
Nina Thomas

A Chorus of Disapproval (1985)

First Performance: 1 August 1985
Final Performance: 29 May 1986
Venue: The Olivier
Staging: End-stage

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Alan Tagg
Costumes: Lindy Hemming
Lighting: Mick Hughes
Musical Director: Paul Todd
Choreography: Olivia Breeze
Sound: Gary Giles
Character
Guy Jones
Dafydd ap Llewellyn
Hannah Llewellyn
Bridget Baines
Mr Ames
Enid Washbrook
Rebecca Huntley-Pike
Fay Hubbard
Ian Hubbard
Jarvis Huntley-Pike
Ted Washbrook
Crispin Usher
Linda Washbrook
Reginald Bickerdyke
Georgina Coombes
Monica Bickerdyke
Sharon Fitch
Colin Crockett
Tony Mofitt
Annie Anderson
Actor
Bob Peck
Michael Gambon
Imelda Staunton
Jenny Galloway
Paul Todd
Jane Wenham
Moira Redmond
Gemma Craven
Paul Bentall
David Ryall
James Hayes
Daniel Flynn
Kelly Hunter
Michael Beint
Mary Chester
Kate Dyson
Virginia Greig
Robert Ralph
Simon Scott
Janet Whiteside

Tons Of Money (1986)

First performance: 6 November 1986
Opening night: 16 November 1986
Final performance: 29 August 1987

Venue:
The Lyttelton
Staging:
End-stage

Author:
Will Evans & Valentine

Director:
Alan Ayckbourn
Design:
Alan Tagg
Lighting: Mick Hughes
Music: Paul Todd
Costumes: Susan Yelland
Character
Sprules
Simpson
Miss Benita Mullett
Louise Allington
Aubrey Maitland Allington
Giles
James Chesterman
Jean Everard
Henery
George Maitland
Actor
Michael Gambon
Diane Bull
Barbara Hicks
Polly Adams
Simon Cadell
James Hayes
Russell Dixon
Marcia Warren
John Arthur
Michael Simkins

A Small Family Business (1987)

First Performance: 21 May 1987
World premiere: 5 June 1987
Final performance: 10 September 1988
Venue: The Olivier
Staging: End-stage

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Alan Tagg
Costumes: Lindy Hemming
Lighting: Mick Hughes
Music: Paul Todd
Character
Ken Ayres
Desmond Ayres
Harriet Ayres
Jack McCracken
Poppy McCracken
Cliff McCracken
Anita McCracken
Samantha McCracken
Tina Ruston
Roy Ruston
Yvonne Doggett
Benedict Hough
The Rivetti Brothers
Actor
Ron Pember
John Arthur
Marcia Warren
Michael Gambon
Polly Adams
Russell Dixon
Elizabeth Bell
Suzan Sylvester
Diane Bull
Adrian Rawlins
Barbara Hicks
Simon Cadell
Michael Simkins
Note: After Michael Gambon injured himself during rehearsals, the role of Jack McCracken was played by Allan Mitchell for two weeks until Gambon was able to return to the role. The original press night was postponed to 5 June to accommodate the absence of Gambon.

A View From The Bridge (1987)

First performance: 12 February 1987
Final performance: 28 September 1987
Venue: The Cottesloe
Staging: End-stage

Author: Arthur Miller
Director:
Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Alan Tagg
Lighting: Mick Hughes
Sound: Rob Barnard
Costume Supervisor: Helen Fitzwilliam
Dialect Coach: Joan Washington
Character
Mike
Beatrice, Eddie's wife
Mr Lipari
Mrs Lipari
Louis
Submarine Woman
Eddie
Alfieri
First Immigration Officer
Rodolpho
Marco
Second Immigration Officer
Catherine, Eddie's niece
Tony
Actor
John Arthur
Elizabeth Bell
Nigel Bellairs
Mary Chester
Russell Dixon
Kate Dyson
Michael Gambon
James Hayes
Allan Mitchell
Adrian Rawlins
Michael Simkins
Paul Stewart
Suzan Sylvester
Paul Todd

'Tis Pity She's A Whore (1988)

First performance: 3 March 1988
Final performance:
4 August 1988

Venue:
The Olivier
Staging:
End-stage

Author:
John Ford

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Roger Glossop
Costumes: Sally Gardner
Lighting: Mick Hughes
Music: Paul Todd
Fight Arranger: Malcolm Ranson
Character
Bonaventura
Giovanni
Vasques
Grimaldi
Florio
Donado
Soranzo
Putana
Annabella
Bergetto,
Poggio
Richardetto
Philotis
Hippolita
Officer
Servant to the Cardinal
A Cardinal
Actor
Richard Cordery
Rupert Graves
Clive Francis
Paul Stewart
Ron Pember
Roger Hammond
Michael Simkins
Bridget Turner
Suzan Sylvester
Russell Dixon
Jim Barclay
Struan Rodger
Georgie Glen
Polly Adams
Peter Dineen
Adrian Jubb
Nigel Bellairs

Invisible Friends (1991)

First performance: 13 March 1991
Final performance: 26 June 1991
Venue: The Cottlesloe
Staging: Thrust

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Roger Glossop
Lighting: Mick Hughes
Costumes: Lynn Clarke
Character
Lucy Baines
Joy, her mother
Walt, her father
Gary, her brother
Zara, her invisible friend
Felix, Zara’s father
Chuck, Zara’s brother
Actor
Emma Chambers
Janet Dale
Bill Moody
Mark Benton
Claire Skinner
Simon Chandler
Robert Hands

Mr A's Amazing Maze Plays (1993)

First performance: 4 March 1993
Final performance: 19 August 1993
Venue: Cottlesloe
Staging: Thrust

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Roger Glossop
Lighting: Mick Hughes
Character
Suzy
Neville
Mother
Father
Mr Accousticus
Mr Passerby
1st Narrator
2nd Narrator
Actor
Judith McSpadden
Adam Godley
Georgie Glen
Richard Long
Glyn Grain
John Branwell
Graeme Eton
James Simmons

Two Weeks With The Queen (1994)

First performance: 20 September 1994
Final performance:
16 February 1995
Venue:
Cottesloe
Staging:
Round

Adaptation:
Mary Morris
Author:
Morris Gleitzman

Director:
Alan Ayckbourn
Assistant Director:
Kate Valentine
Musical Director:
Simon Cryer
Lighting:
Jackie Staines
Design:
Roger Glossop
Music:
John Pattison
Character
Mum / Aussie Matron / Iris
Dad / Aussie Doctor / Bob / Griff / Captain/ Spanish Tourist
Colin
Luke / Alastair / Guard / Patient / Student Doctor / Aussie Doctor / Businessman
Cop / Pompous Pommy Doctor / Ted
Aussie Nurse / Flight Attendant / American Tourist / Student Doctor / Cafe Woman / Pommy Nurse / Doctor Graham / Airport Woman
Actor
Sophia Winter
Philip Bird

Tamblyn Lord
Sean Mackenzie


Peter Forbes

Dorothy Atkinson
Note: This was a co-production with the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round which premiered in Scarborough before transferring to the National Theatre.

House & Garden (2000)

First performances: 9 August 2000
Final performance: 23 September 2000
Venue: The Olivier (Garden) & The Lyttelton (House)
Staging: End-stage

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Roger Glossop
Lighting: Mick Hughes
Costumes: Christine Wall
Music: John Pattison
Choreography: Sheila Carter
Character
Teddy Platt
Trish Platt
Sally Platt
Giles Mace
Joanna Mace
Jake Mace
Gavin Ryng-Mayne
Barry Love
Lindy Love
Lucille Cadeau
Fran Briggs
Warn Coucher
Izzie Truce
Pearl Truce
Rev. Colin Mallow
Cone Wharton
Caroline Perrit
Mervyn Peebles
Liddy Slike
Deidre Mallow
Actor
David Haig
Jane Asher
Charlie Hayes
Michael Siberry
Sian Thomas
James Bradshaw
Malcolm Sinclair
Adrian McLoughlin
Suzy Aitchison
Zabou Breitman
Alexandra Mathie
Peter Laird
Antonia Pemberton
Nina Sosanya
Robin Browne
Andrew Fallaize
Penelope McGhie
Trevor Nichols
Deborah O'Malley
Leonie Wilde

Season's Greetings (2010)

First performance: 8 December 2010
Final performance: 13 March 2011
Venue: The Lyttelton
Staging: End-stage

Director: Marianne Elliott
Design: Rae Smith
Lighting: Bruno Poet
Music: Stephen Warbeck
Sound: Mark Dickinson
Character
Bernard
Belinda
Clive
Pattie
Phyllis
Neville
Harvey
Rachel
Eddie
Actor
Mark Gatiss
Catherine Tate
Oliver Chris
Katherine Parkinson
Jenna Russell
Neil Stuke
David Troughton
Nicola Walker
Marc Wootton

A Small Family Business (2014)

First performance: 1 April 2014
Premiere:
8 April 2014
Final performance: 27 August 2014
Venue: The Olivier
Staging: End-stage

Director: Adam Penford
Design: Tim Hatley
Lighting: Paul Anderson
Music: Grant Olding
Fight Director: Alison de Burgh
Sound: Gareth Fry
Character
Desmond Ayres
Cliff McCracken
Benedict Hough
Poppy
Ken Ayres
Yvonne Doggett
Jack McCracken
Harriet
Tina
The Rivetti Brothers
Samantha
Roy Ruston
Anita
Actor
Neal Barry
Stephen Beckett
Matthew Cottle
Debra Gillett
Gawn Grainger
Amanda Hadingue
Nigel Lindsay
Amy Marston
Rebecca McKinnis
Gerard Monaco
Alice Sykes
Samuel Taylor
Niky Wardley

Musical Revues

Me, Myself and I (1985)

First performance: 31 October 1985
Final performance: 11 January 1986
Venue:
Lyttelton Buffet
Staging:
End-stage

Director:
Alan Ayckbourn
Musical Director:
Paul Todd
Design:
Emma B Lloyd
Lighting:
Steve Ramsden
Character
Me
Myself
I
Man

Piano
Actor
Jenny Galloway
Kelly Hunter
Kate Dyson
James Hayes

Paul Todd

Mere Soup Songs (1986)

First performance: 5 December 1986
Premiere:
14 December 1986
Venue: Lyttelton Buffet
Staging:
End-stage

Director:
Alan Ayckbourn
Music:
Paul Todd
Design:
Emma B Lloyd
Lighting:
Steve Ramsden
Sound: Rob Barnard
Sound: Gary Giles
Character
Charles
Janice
Michael
Annabelle

Synthisiser
Actor
Russell Dixon
Kate Dyson
Michael Simkins
Diane Bull

Paul Todd
All research for this page is by Simon Murgatroyd and should not be reproduced without crediting Simon Murgatroyd and this website.