Simon Murgatroyd

Alan Ayckbourn's Archivist & Professional Writer

Speaker

Since 2001, I have been invited to speak on a wide variety of subjects relating to Alan Ayckbourn and his plays as well as his mentor Stephen Joseph and the history of theatre in the round in Scarborough. These range from official Ayckbourn Events to talks for societies and organisations, public talks to working with universities and colleges. I also provide original content for the Official Ayckbourn YouTube channel in which I present videos exploring Alan Ayckbourn, his careers and his plays.

Although I have several 'repeatable' talks, most of my talks are bespoke - and there's very few areas of Alan Ayckbourn's careers and plays or the history of theatre in the round in Scarborough that I can't talk about!

Obviously, my particular speciality is Alan Ayckbourn and his plays but I am considered an expert on the history of theatre in the round in Scarborough, where Alan made both his professional writing and directing debuts and would also be Artistic Director for 37 years.

I'm also considered a world expert on Alan Ayckbourn's earliest withdrawn plays and am one of the few people to be familiar with the entire Ayckbourn play canon of more than 150 works.

Notable talks include celebrating the 50th anniversary of the play
Absurd Person Singular in The Round at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in 2022, presenting talks for Heritage Open Days in 2023, celebrating the life of Stephen. Joseph with Alan Ayckbourn in 2017, presenting the inaugural talk at Beeforth's Hive in 2023 and celebrating Alan Ayckbourn's 90th play at the SJT in 2024.

Examples of some of my talks and lectures and events I've participated can be found
here. If you are interested in hiring me for a talk or finding out more, contact me.

Organisations and Events

These are some of the examples of the organisations I've spoken at as well as some of the events I have been involved with.
The Stephen Joseph Theatre
Heritage Open Days
Scarborough Art Gallery
Scarborough Library
Beeforth's Hive, Scarborough
The Italian Gardens, Scarborough
The Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax
Haydonning Ltd (for Alan Ayckbourn)
Scarborough Civic Society
Scarborough Archeological Society
The Stephen Joseph Theatre Circle
Remembering Stephen Joseph (SJT event)
Mr A's Amazing Days (SJT event)
Absurd Person Singular 50th Anniversary (SJT event)
Ayckbourn & The Round (SJT event)
The Inner Circle (SJT event)
The Ayckbourn Film Festival

Requesting a Talk

I'm delighted to have the opportunity to speak about Alan Ayckbourn, his plays and career and can create bespoke talks suitable for for poarticular event and organisations.

Fees for talks vary and are dependent on a variety of factors such as travel expenses and time. If you are interested in arranging a talk or have any enquiries regarding this, please
Contact Me.

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