A Round Town: Talks & Events
This website is part of a project to highlight theatre in the round's contribution to Scarborough's cultural heritage & history.To that end, Simon Murgatroyd - theatre historian and Alan Ayckbourn's archivist - gives regular talks in the Scarborough community about theatre in the round, its history in Scarborough and significant figures such as Alan Ayckbourn and Stephen Joseph. From the people to the companies, historical events to places and buildings, Simon is delving into theatre in the round and its place in the town.
Simon is also forging links with organisations around the town in order to emphasise the rich cultural contribution that theatre in the round made to Scarborough in its formative decades. To contact Simon about talks, visit his website here.
Talks with Simon Murgatroyd M.A.
◦ The Final Night of the Library Theatre - 50 Years on
1.30pm on Friday 11 September at Scarborough Library. Free tickets.
Simon Murgatroyd marks the 50th anniversary of the final performance of Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough - to the day - with a look at why the company had to leave the library and what was achieved during the 21 years at The Library Theatre.
1.30pm on Friday 11 September at Scarborough Library. Free tickets.
Simon Murgatroyd marks the 50th anniversary of the final performance of Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough - to the day - with a look at why the company had to leave the library and what was achieved during the 21 years at The Library Theatre.
Price: Free
◦ Behind the Scenes at the Library Theatre
6pm on Thursday 17 September at Scarborough Library. Free tickets (spaces are limited and must be booked in advance).
Simon Murgatroyd gives a talk and tour of the spaces which held Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre between 1955 and 1976. Find out some of the stories and secrets from the UK's first theatre-in-the-round where Alan Ayckbourn made his playwriting and directing debuts.
6pm on Thursday 17 September at Scarborough Library. Free tickets (spaces are limited and must be booked in advance).
Simon Murgatroyd gives a talk and tour of the spaces which held Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre between 1955 and 1976. Find out some of the stories and secrets from the UK's first theatre-in-the-round where Alan Ayckbourn made his playwriting and directing debuts.
Price: Free
Limited availability
◦ Behind the Scenes at the Library Theatre
10.30am on Saturday 19 September at Scarborough Library. Free tickets (spaces are limited and must be booked in advance).
Simon Murgatroyd gives a talk and tour of the spaces which held Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre between 1955 and 1976. Find out some of the stories and secrets from the UK's first theatre-in-the-round where Alan Ayckbourn made his playwriting and directing debuts.
10.30am on Saturday 19 September at Scarborough Library. Free tickets (spaces are limited and must be booked in advance).
Simon Murgatroyd gives a talk and tour of the spaces which held Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre between 1955 and 1976. Find out some of the stories and secrets from the UK's first theatre-in-the-round where Alan Ayckbourn made his playwriting and directing debuts.
Price: Free
Limited availability
Videos / Podcasts / Other Projects
◦ Ayckbourn at the Library Theatre: A Talk with Simon Murgatroyd M.A.A recording of Simon Murgatroyd's talk at Scarborough Library looking at Alan Ayckbourn's connection with Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre between 1957 and 1976 in which he forged his first links with the theatre company he would have a lifelong association with.
Link: YouTube
◦ Scarborough Spotlight Podcast: Simon Murgatroyd
Alan Ayckbourn's Archivist Simon Murgatroyd is interviewed for the 22 January 2024 edition of Scarborough Spotlight Podcast looking at his work and Alan Ayckbourn's relationship with Scarborough.
Link: Apple Podcasts / Spotify Podcasts
Bonus Episode: Apple Podcasts
◦ Ayckbourn's Gardens: A Talk with Simon Murgatroyd M.A.
A recording of Simon Murgatroyd's talk Ayckbourn's Gardens which took place in the Italian Gardens on Scarborough's South Cliff during July 2023. Simon talks about how and why Alan Ayckbourn uses gardens within his plays.
Link: The Ayckbourn YouTube Channel
◦ Alan Ayckbourn - From Actor to Artistic Director: A Talk with Simon Murgatroyd M.A.
A recording of Simon Murgatroyd's talk Alan Ayckbourn: From Actor to Artistic Director recorded at Filey Library in 2023 looking at the playwright's rise in the Theatre at the Round at the Library Theatre company from 1957 to 1972.
Link: The Ayckbourn YouTube Channel