Previews:
Darlington & Stockton Times - 20/07/07
Play Premiere on Moors for Son of Ayckbourn
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THE first professional production of a play written by Alan Ayckbourn's son, Steven, will have its premiere in a village on the North York Moors next month. Friends Uninvited will be presented by Esk Valley Theatre at the Robinson Institute, Glaisdale, from August 10 to September 1, and the production then transfers to Middlesbrough Theatre from September 4-8.
It takes as its theme the contemporary trend for people to use to internet to make contact with friends from the past. "It's about a man whose life is going swimmingly until a couple of friends turn up on his doorstep with their own issues to resolve, and then everything turns into chaos," said the aspiring playwright, who admits to feeling nervous about how the comedy will be received.
Though he has written plays experimentally, including for amateur performances, Friends Uninvited is his debut as a professional and his feelings about continuing along this new career path may well hang on audience reactions. His father - who recently announced that he is to step down as artistic director of Scaborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre - and other family members will attend the Saturday night performance.
Steven Ayckbourn, 47, teaches computer programming in Scarborough, where he lives with his wife and two youngest children - the eldest is in America - but also has a background in stage management after studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
"Comparisons will be made, but I hope I have found my own voice after about 12 years of writing experimentally in my own cloister," he said. "I have also made a point of going to see plays a lot, and that is how I have learnt about the craft." Since early childhood, of course, he has observed his father at work and attended all the opening nights of his distinguished parent's prodigious output, which numbers 70 full-length plays.
Esk Valley Theatre was founded two years ago by Sheila Carter, a producer who has worked with Ayckbourn senior at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, and Mark Stratton, a drama director. Over coffee one day in Whitby, Ms Carter mentioned that her company was looking for a play for the summer. "My wife said 'Well, Steven writes plays' and that's how it came about," said Mr Ayckbourn.
The company has been raising money towards productions costs. The third event is a dance tomorrow at the Robinson Institute (8pm-12.30) with blues singer Steve Phillips, from Robin Hood's Bay, and the Rough Diamonds, with Doctor Rock as MC. Play rehearsals start on Monday with three professional actors chosen from the 30 who auditioned in London.
"The name Ayckbourn means you get publicity, but at the same time there is not much wriggle room," said the hopeful inheritor of the mantle. "If people don't like it, they'll say 'Hasn't he learnt anything?' "But I hope it's half decent - and that I'll have a slice of beginner's luck."
Tickets for Glaisdale are £8 (£7 concessions) from the box office on 01947-897587. At Middlesbrough Theatre, they cost £10/£9, £6 matinee, from 01642-815181.
* Alan Ayckbourn's supernatural thriller Snake in the Grass is at Middlesbrough Theatre this week, with two nights of the run still to go.
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Friends Uninvited cast: Beatrice CurnewMark Beardsmore Hugo Thurston Picture: Doug Jackson |
THEATRE fans will soon be flocking to the village of Glaisdale for the world premiere of a play by the son of renowned Scarborough playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Steven Ayckbourn has penned Friends Uninvited and a full house at the Robinson Institute is expected at the play's opening night on Friday 10 August.
And on Saturday 16 August locals may be bumping into stars of stage and screen when the playwright hosts a private reception before one of the performances - invited guests include Sir Alan, Ian Carmichael, Tamzin Outhwaite and Malcolm Hebden who plays Norris in Coronation Street. Audience members are already expected from as far afield as France and America as well as theatre critics.
The play is being performed by Esk Valley's own professional theatre company. It takes a humorous look at modern relationships - does the past ever leave us and how does the past influence the future. Duncan is a successful businessman. When an old friend turns up on his doorstep it sets off an extraordinary chain of events.School reunions, friends reunited via the internet - why do people feel compelled to reconnect with the past?
Performances run until 1 September at 7.30pm Monday to Saturday with Thursday matinees at 2.30pm. And every Wednesday after the show audience members are invited to a free informal discussion with the writer, director and cast.
Esk Valley Theatre was set up by actor Mark Stratton and his wife, choreographer Sheila Carter, with the aim of producing quality productions that would be seen in any provincial theatre around the country. Mark has worked in theatres throughout the UK and in television - he is currently the man in the Calgon adverts and Sheila has worked in the West End and on Broadway including choreographing for Steven's father, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, for the past 14 years.
Sheila said this year has been particularly difficult as they lost Arts Council Funding of £10,000. She said: "We had to quickly decide if we should risk everything and carry on with the company or pack it in. As you can see we're determined to carry on so we quickly organised many fund-raising events as possible in the time allowed and have raised more than £5,000. This was alongside Mark touring the country with Northern Broadsides production of the Tempest from January until June finishing off in China. I have been travelling around the country examining dance for the ISTD Modern Theatre Faculty but with the help of volunteers and the wonderful support of the people in and around Glaisdale we have managed to raise some of the money needed."
Tickets cost £8 adults, concessions £7 and are available from Glaisdale Village Shop or advance bookings can be made through the theatre box office on (01947) 897587. Visit www.eskvalleytheatre.co.uk for more information. Friends Uninvited will transfer to the Middlesbrough Theatre from 4 to 8 September and if successful may go on tour later on next year.
Like Father Like Son
In the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors a tiny theatre has grown, and this month it will stage its first world premiere by a playwright with a famous name
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Tucked away in the Esk Valley. For the past two years The Robinson Institute, a community hall located in the small village of Glaisdale - has been miraculously transformed into a fully functioning theatre, complete with stage set, scenery, lighting and raked seating. On summer evenings the theatregoer can take in the clear Yorkshire air, sip a glass of wine served from the outdoor bar and then savour Esk Valley Theatre's latest stage offering.
Under the auspices of Mark Stratton and Sheila Carter, the hundred seat Esk Valley Theatre's mission has been to bring professional theatre to the rural audiences, believing that it not only plays an important role in society, but can at the same time bring significant cultural and economic benefits. "Our aim is to entertain and provide a forum for debate and social interaction," says Sheila, "We work hard to bring our community together to enjoy theatre. In a remote rural area like ours it can help to diminish people's sense of isolation".
With it's growing reputation for quality the theatre is attracting audiences from further afield, providing welcome business to the local guest houses and shops. The Arncliffe Arms, a family run inn, now offers a pre-show menu, as well as accommodation to the theatregoer.
Now in it's third season, EVT's previous productions have included John Godber's September in the Rain and last year, Richard Harris' Business of Murder. Both productions went down a storm and this year Mark and Sheila have taken the bold step of commissioning a brand new play.
Friends Uninvited by Steven Ayckbourn, son of the world-renowned playwright, Sir Alan, is not only a world premiere, but it is also the author's first professional production. It is also Mark Stratton's first foray into directing, bringing with him his many years of professional acting experience. Sheila said: "To think we are having the world premiere of a play by Ayckbourn at this tiny theatre -literally in the middle of nowhere... Yes, he may be the son, but there is already a palpable buzz about the whole event. People are genuinely excited."
Friends Uninvited takes a humorous look at modern relationships and the bizarre events that can follow when old friends are reunited. The playwright admits that part of what spurred him on to write the piece was a result of the recent glut of technology enabling us to travel back and contact those shadows of our past. "We still imagine school friends, or past acquaintances as we remember them, but meeting them now, face to face, can often lead to a rude awakening." It is no coincidence that the title of the play bears a similar name to a popular website, dealing with such issues.
Having reached the age of 47, Steven says he is not too nervous about the public expectations the family name may raise. "You reach a stage in your life where you have to trust your own judgement. I consider this to be quite a good play with which to launch my professional career. It's a comedy (I hope) and has a fair dose of what might be termed Ayckbourn-like situations. At the same time, I believe there is enough of me in there for people to recognise that there is in fact another writer behind the piece with his own style and ideas. The worst scenario might be my father receiving letters complaining that his writing wasn't up to his normal standard. Of course, if I wanted to blow my own trumpet I might suggest the opposite could happen in that he ends up being congratulated on his latest play. "
Friends Uninvited by Steven Ayckbourn, directed by Mark Stratton, plays at the Robinson Institute, Glaisdale, near Whitby from August 10 to September 1. Performances begin at 7.30pm, Monday to Saturday (Thursday Matinees 2.30pm). Tickets can be bought by calling the box office on 01947 897587. The production then transfers to Middlesbrough Theatre from September 4-8 Telephone 01642 815181.
Yorkshire Evening Press - 10/08/07
True price of success
Tiny Glaisdale threatre may have to become a charity to stage further world premiers.
THERE'S a cash crisis looming for the tiny theatre at Glaisdale, near Whitby, just as the 100-seater venue is celebrating a world premiere and a guestlist tonight that includes patron Ian Carmichael OBE and Sir Alan Ayckbourn.
This year the three-week summer season production of Friends Uninvited, by Alan's son Steven Ayckbourn, initially required funding of £32,000 until the Arts Council turned down the company's request for £10,000.Choreographer and dance judge Sheila Carter, who runs the company based at the village's Robinson Institute with actor/director husband Mark Stratton, reveals that a desperate struggle then took place to find enough money to open the show last night.
"We needed just over £32,000 because this production is transferring to Middlesbrough Theatre (September 4-8). But we've read in the newspapers that the Government has taken £2.6m from Yorkshire Arts to put into the Olympics and that means a lot of small arts venues are suffering," explains Sheila who has been working unpaid to ensure that three professional actors can be employed to stage the show.
Fund-raising has included patron Malcom Hebden, Norris from Coronation Street, staging a show; blues guitarist Steve Phillips, from Robin Hood's Bay, playing at a dance and a pledge auction raising £3,000.
"The surprise bidding was for a day's work from the local joiner although a retired shopkeeper offering two hour's ironing produced a lot of interest," laughs Sheila.
Actors Beatrice Curnew, Mark Beardsmore and Hugo Thurston - who has already agreed to bat for Glaisdale's cricket team - were recruited after a London audition produced 500 candidates, most originally from the North. "We did also audition actors based in the North but we didn't think it was fair to ask jobbing actors to come up here to audition," says Sheila.
Probably what disappointed Esk Valley Theatre the most was encouragement to try for a £5,000 Arts Council grant and having that turned down as well after spending several days filling in forms.
"We are now looking at becoming a registered charity because Mark and I cannot fund everything and it will be a lot easier to raise money this way in future," says Sheila, who is hoping that ticket sales, volunteer efforts, loans of equipment and three generous £1,000 gifts from councils and businesses will help save the day.
There are no thoughts of Steven Ayckbourn's first ever two-act play for professional theatre being a gamble. Previously the 47-year-old Scarborough-based computer programming teacher has written experimental plays, mainly for amateur theatre. His wife volunteered a play on his behalf and Sheila and Mark were sent two one-act plays and Friends Uninvited which investigates the comedy potential of people who use websites such as the popular Friends Reunited.
"This is the kind of area that his father writes about so there is going to be a certain amount of comparison between the two but we feel this is the perfect two-act play for us. There was a time when no one would consider plays from Steven because of his name Ayckbourn and he was having to use a pseudonym," says Sheila.
Husband Mark Stratton has taken on directing duties having spent the early months of the year touring The Tempest with Northern Broadsides. "The company ended up touring to China which is quite something just after you've played places like Bolton and Bradford," she adds.
Mark is constantly being recognised in the street currently because he is the "Calgon man" in commercials featuring a tablet which stops washing machines from furring up.
I can add another accolade, I was discussing this claim to fame for Mark while shopping with my wife and she went straight off and bought a packet... so you're doing a great job Mark.
Reviews:
The name Ayckbourn stands out in the credits and this Ayckbourn is indeed Sir Alan's son.
Friends Uninvited is the first professional production of one of Steven’s plays. It is staged by the Eskdale Theatre company for the holidaymakers and locals of the North York Moors. Lighting and design are by Graham Kirk and Pip Leckenby, the regular team at Hull Truck.
There has been a school reunion and not long after it dishevelled, clumsy Roger, the first uninvited friend, turns up at the posh London flat of Duncan. Roger is fleeing from Jill, a voracious girl trained in many martial arts, who is determined that Roger is the man for her.
Interestingly Duncan is the shy type and he was never really friends with either of them. This is only revealed in the second act, making Duncan's put upon situation all the more bewildering for him.
A first act with periods of tedious exposition needs madcap, screwball pacing and more could be made of Hugo's clumsiness. The second act is much freer and there is palpable relish on stage.
Beatrice Curnew as Jill is exceptional. She dictates the comic vigour of the play. Hugo Thurston as Roger is engaging but fuller use should be made of his gangling frame. Give him more things to fall over and to break.
Mark Beardsmore as Duncan has a fine second act. His tortured resignation, as he sits in a wheelchair in his wrecked flat, is heartfelt.
This is an entertaining, unpretentious play. Audiences will go home chuckling.
BBC North Yorkshire - 20/08/07
Review: Friends Uninvited
Robinson Institute, Glaisdale, 14th Aug 2007
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The cast of Friends Uninvited Jill - Beatrice Curnew |
The tiny North York Moors village of Glaisdale is an unlikely setting for a World Premiere. But that is where the Esk Valley Theatre Company performed Steven Ayckbourn's new play. David Willey was there...
I attended the world premiere - advertised both on the internet and inside the local butcher's shop - of 'Friends Uninvited', a new play by Steven Ayckbourn, which took place in a tiny village nestled in the North Yorkshire moors.
Audiences - holidaymakers and the local farming community - at the 100 seat theatre of the Robinson Insitute in Glaisdale in the Esk Valley are enjoying a world-class performance.
Ayckbourn, building on his unique family background in the theatre, has boldly decided to give his father Alan's prolific output of modern morality comedies a new and very contemporary spin on romance.
Following a reunion of old school friends, organised over the internet, the touch of a wrong computer key introduces havoc into three lives.
At Scarborough's Steven Joseph Theatre, I later saw the revival of "Relatively Speaking", Alan Ayckbourn's first West End success of forty years ago. In this still delightful comedy, the old class stereotypes of English society in the seventies come to the fore, and one of the heroines is very much a victim.
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Jill and Duncan Photo: Adrian Gatie |
The younger Ayckbourn, at 47, having also experienced more than a decade of life in America, operates at the cutting edge of today's urban yuppiedom. Showing how times and tastes have changed, even in romance, his female lead Jill (played with panache by Beatrice Curnew), is no one's victim. On the contrary, the feisty Jill, in the play a martial arts expert, tends to express herself in karate chops as she purposefully pursues Roger (Hugo Thurston), a quintessentially lazy slob, who dodges responsibility, and Jill.
Having come into contact by error over the internet, the two invade the posh London apartment of their former schoolmate, Duncan (Mark Beardsmore), a fastidious and nouveau riche computer security analyst whose pastimes are chess, tropical fish, and Mother. Poor Duncan, outclassed in his passions, ends up in a wheelchair.
Director is Mark Stratton, fresh from a successful Shakespearean tour in China, and producer, Sheila Carter. From Glaisdale the play transfers to the Middlesbrough Theatre September 4-8.
Scarborough Evening News - 22/08/07
'Friends' is packed with witty one-liners
Robinson Institute, Glaisdale, 14th Aug 2007
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The cast of Friends Uninvited Jill - Beatrice Curnew |
THANKS to the internet, rekindling friendships forged at school has never been easier.
But just because it is easy, it doesn't mean it is wise.
The character of Duncan in Friends Uninvited has good reason to ponder upon this when two old school friends arrive uninvited in his expensive city apartment.
His well-ordered life is thrown into chaos as they leave a trail of devastation in their wake and cause him to re-evaluate his life.
That sounds like serious stuff, but Steven Ayckbourn's play is packed with witty one-liners and elements of high farce.
All three performers seem to relish the physicality of the play. Hugo Thurston as Roger does a great dance routine to Carole King with only a towel and electric toothbrush as props.
Beatrice Curnew fizzes with energy as Jill, the sickly schoolgirl who has reinvented herself thanks to her devotion to martial arts and the plastic surgeon's knife.
Mark Beardsmore as Duncan plummets from yuppy Porsche buyer to broken man. The look on his face in the closing scenes perfectly captures the tragi-comic nature of the play.
Forget any preconceptions you may have about village hall theatre. The Robinson Institute, transformed into the Esk Valley Theatre, is everything that regional theatre should be: lively, entertaining and providing a platform for new writers.
Friends Uninvited transfers to Middlesbrough Theatre from September 4-8.
Middlesbrough Gazette - 29/08/07
Old pals and new disasters
What: Friends Uninvited
Where: Esk Valley Theatre, Glaisdale
When: Until Sept 1, then transfers to Middlesbrough Theatre from Sept 4-8
Verdict: A witty and entertaining play by this new writer.
THANKS to the internet, rekindling friendships forged at school has never been easier. But just because it is easy, it doesn't mean it is wise.
Duncan in Friends Uninvited has good reason to ponder this when two old school friends arrive uninvited in his expensive city apartment. His well ordered life is thrown into chaos as they leave a trail of devastation and cause him to re-evaluate his own life.
That sounds like serious stuff, but Steven Ayckbourn's play is packed with witty one-liners and elements of high farce.
All three performers relish the physicality of the play. Hugo Thurston as Roger does a great dance routine to Carole King with only a towel and electric toothbrush as props.
Beatrice Curnew fizzes with energy as Jill, the sickly schoolgirl who has reinvented herself thanks to her devotion to martial arts and the plastic surgeon's knife.
Mark Beardsmore as Duncan plummets from yuppy Porsche buyer to broken man. The look on his face in the closing scenes perfectly captures the tragi-comic nature of this play.
Forget any preconceptions you may have about village hall theatre. The Robinson Institute, transformed into the Esk Valley Theatre, is everything regional theatre should be; lively, entertaining and providing a platform for new writers.