The Stephen Joseph Theatre: FAQs
This page features some frequently asked questions regarding this website and, specifically, the present home of the in-the-round company, the Stephen Joseph Theatre (1996 - present). For more detailed questions about the Stephen Joseph Theatre since 1996, please visit the theatre's own website www.sjt.uk.com.Frequently Asked Questions: The Stephen Joseph Theatre (1996 - present)
Why doesn't the website hold details about the Stephen Joseph Theatre and the company subsequent to 1996?
Simply put, the story of the Stephen Joseph Theatre (1996 - present) is still being told, whereas the stories of Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre (1955 - 1975) and the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round (1976 - 1995) have been told and are complete.
As an ongoing venue, the Stephen Joseph Theatre is responsible for telling its own story - which is obviously still being written - and for also choosing how to tell that story. The story of the Stephen Joseph Theatre post-1996 should be told by the company itself, bearing in mind, this is an active organisation looking towards the future.
As a theatre historian and archivist, my focus is the past and preserving the stories that might otherwise be lost - such as how the UK's first theatre in the round company came into existence and the formative years of the company between 1955 and 1995. Not only does the Stephen Joseph Theatre not have the resources to tell that story, but for various reasons (see below) doesn't actually hold the full story of its own history - particularly with regard to Stephen Joseph and Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre. Hence my research and this website, to ensure that story is preserved and can be told and appreciated.
Also, on a personal level, the story of the Stephen Joseph Theatre from 1996 doesn't hold as much interest for me as those first four decades which are, objectively, the most significant in the company's history: how an innovative and ground-breaking new company was created in Scarborough, the story of Stephen Joseph and his protégé, Alan Ayckbourn, the development of a company which - through the 1970s to 1990s - became synonymous with new writing as well as how Alan Ayckbourn developed the company into a nationally recognised and hugely successful company, which became indelibly associated with him.
You can find my further thoughts on the subject on the Why 1955 to 1996? page.
Where can I find out more information about the Stephen Joseph Theatre and the company subsequent to 1996?
The Stephen Joseph Theatre's own website is www.sjt.uk.com.
I'm interested in Alan Ayckbourn's work at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, where can I find details of this?
The entirety of Alan Ayckbourn's career is extensively covered in his own official website, www.alanayckbourn.net. There you can find full details of his association and work with the Stephen Joseph Theatre since 1996 - as well as all his work with the company since joining it in 1957.
Is there a list of plays produced at the Stephen Joseph Theatre (1996 - present) available?
Not that I'm aware of. This website has a complete and detailed list of all plays by the company between 1955 and 1995 but does not hold details subsequent to 1996. A complete list of Alan Ayckbourn's productions at the venue since 1996 can be found on his official website www.alanayckbourn.net.
Does the Stephen Joseph Theatre have archival resources?
Yes, The Bob Watson Archive with the Stephen Joseph Theatre holds the history of the company and is named after the company's first archivist, Bob Watson. He reconstructed the archive after it was, infamously, dumped and destroyed by the company's press officer in 1987. This does mean there are limitations to the archive though. Essentially everything relating to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre (1955 - 1975) was destroyed. Material relating to those years is present, but it is almost entirely photocopies of material held in The Stephen Joseph / Library Theatre Collection at Scarborough Library and the Ayckbourn Archive at the Borthwick Institute for Archives are the University of York. There are practically no original programmes prior to 1970, a limited selection of photocopied press articles from this period and a small amount of material relating to Stephen Joseph. The vast majority of original material pertaining to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre and Stephen Joseph is held in other collections. The Bob Watson Archive is stronger during the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round years (1976 - 1995) and strongest in the Stephen Joseph Theatre years (1996 - present).
The Bob Watson Archive is not open to the public, but private visits can be arranged via the theatre.
What is Alan Ayckbourn's relationship with the Stephen Joseph Theatre now?
Alan Ayckbourn is a guest director for the company, who directs the world premieres of his own plays. He was appointed Director Emeritus in 2018. He has no other significant involvement in the company.
Who currently runs the Stephen Joseph Theatre?
The Executive Director / Joint Chief Executive is Caroline Routh and the Artistic Director / Joint Chief Executive is Paul Robinson. As a charity, the company - Scarborough Theatre Trust Ltd - is governed by a board of trustees with Sarah Nicholson as Chair and David Warner as Deputy Chair.
Will this website eventually incorporate details of the present venue and its history subsequent to 1996?
No. That's a story for other historians to tell. It's not a point of interest for me - except with regard to its relationship with Alan Ayckbourn, which can be found at www.alanayckbourn.net - with this site focused on the essential formative decades of the company 1955 to 1995 and its two most singificant and influential figures, Stephen Joseph and Alan Ayckbourn.
Is it possible the theatre will one day be renamed after Sir Alan Ayckbourn?
One hopes not - and Alan Ayckbourn himself would not be happy with such a change.
The Stephen Joseph Theatre is named after one of the most influential, if largely unrecognised, figures in British theatre history from the 1950s and 1960s. And - more importantly - the single most important and influential mentor figure in Alan Ayckbourn's life.
Without Stephen Joseph, Alan would not have become the internationally successful playwright he is today and Scarborough would not have a theatre which is known around the country.
The name of the Stephen Joseph Theatre marks the legacy of a figure who - whilst vastly under appreciated - had an extraordinary impact on both the town of Scarborough and many playwrights, actors and directors, not least Alan Ayckbourn. It also, in theory, represents the theatre's commitment to its founder's intentions, most primarily the development of new writers and writing as well as theatre in the round.
So one hopes, the theatre will always recognise in its title, the man who inspired Alan Ayckbourn and so many others.
Also, when the present building was conceived in the early 1990s, the name of the building was available to 'buy'. Sir Alan paid £400,000 to name the building, choosing the Stephen Joseph Theatre. It is believed the agreement included a covenant that the name could not be changed.
You can find out more about Stephen Joseph, his work and his influence here.
Simon Murgatroyd, 2023 (updated 2025)
Simply put, the story of the Stephen Joseph Theatre (1996 - present) is still being told, whereas the stories of Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre (1955 - 1975) and the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round (1976 - 1995) have been told and are complete.
As an ongoing venue, the Stephen Joseph Theatre is responsible for telling its own story - which is obviously still being written - and for also choosing how to tell that story. The story of the Stephen Joseph Theatre post-1996 should be told by the company itself, bearing in mind, this is an active organisation looking towards the future.
As a theatre historian and archivist, my focus is the past and preserving the stories that might otherwise be lost - such as how the UK's first theatre in the round company came into existence and the formative years of the company between 1955 and 1995. Not only does the Stephen Joseph Theatre not have the resources to tell that story, but for various reasons (see below) doesn't actually hold the full story of its own history - particularly with regard to Stephen Joseph and Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre. Hence my research and this website, to ensure that story is preserved and can be told and appreciated.
Also, on a personal level, the story of the Stephen Joseph Theatre from 1996 doesn't hold as much interest for me as those first four decades which are, objectively, the most significant in the company's history: how an innovative and ground-breaking new company was created in Scarborough, the story of Stephen Joseph and his protégé, Alan Ayckbourn, the development of a company which - through the 1970s to 1990s - became synonymous with new writing as well as how Alan Ayckbourn developed the company into a nationally recognised and hugely successful company, which became indelibly associated with him.
You can find my further thoughts on the subject on the Why 1955 to 1996? page.
Where can I find out more information about the Stephen Joseph Theatre and the company subsequent to 1996?
The Stephen Joseph Theatre's own website is www.sjt.uk.com.
I'm interested in Alan Ayckbourn's work at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, where can I find details of this?
The entirety of Alan Ayckbourn's career is extensively covered in his own official website, www.alanayckbourn.net. There you can find full details of his association and work with the Stephen Joseph Theatre since 1996 - as well as all his work with the company since joining it in 1957.
Is there a list of plays produced at the Stephen Joseph Theatre (1996 - present) available?
Not that I'm aware of. This website has a complete and detailed list of all plays by the company between 1955 and 1995 but does not hold details subsequent to 1996. A complete list of Alan Ayckbourn's productions at the venue since 1996 can be found on his official website www.alanayckbourn.net.
Does the Stephen Joseph Theatre have archival resources?
Yes, The Bob Watson Archive with the Stephen Joseph Theatre holds the history of the company and is named after the company's first archivist, Bob Watson. He reconstructed the archive after it was, infamously, dumped and destroyed by the company's press officer in 1987. This does mean there are limitations to the archive though. Essentially everything relating to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre (1955 - 1975) was destroyed. Material relating to those years is present, but it is almost entirely photocopies of material held in The Stephen Joseph / Library Theatre Collection at Scarborough Library and the Ayckbourn Archive at the Borthwick Institute for Archives are the University of York. There are practically no original programmes prior to 1970, a limited selection of photocopied press articles from this period and a small amount of material relating to Stephen Joseph. The vast majority of original material pertaining to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre and Stephen Joseph is held in other collections. The Bob Watson Archive is stronger during the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round years (1976 - 1995) and strongest in the Stephen Joseph Theatre years (1996 - present).
The Bob Watson Archive is not open to the public, but private visits can be arranged via the theatre.
What is Alan Ayckbourn's relationship with the Stephen Joseph Theatre now?
Alan Ayckbourn is a guest director for the company, who directs the world premieres of his own plays. He was appointed Director Emeritus in 2018. He has no other significant involvement in the company.
Who currently runs the Stephen Joseph Theatre?
The Executive Director / Joint Chief Executive is Caroline Routh and the Artistic Director / Joint Chief Executive is Paul Robinson. As a charity, the company - Scarborough Theatre Trust Ltd - is governed by a board of trustees with Sarah Nicholson as Chair and David Warner as Deputy Chair.
Will this website eventually incorporate details of the present venue and its history subsequent to 1996?
No. That's a story for other historians to tell. It's not a point of interest for me - except with regard to its relationship with Alan Ayckbourn, which can be found at www.alanayckbourn.net - with this site focused on the essential formative decades of the company 1955 to 1995 and its two most singificant and influential figures, Stephen Joseph and Alan Ayckbourn.
Is it possible the theatre will one day be renamed after Sir Alan Ayckbourn?
One hopes not - and Alan Ayckbourn himself would not be happy with such a change.
The Stephen Joseph Theatre is named after one of the most influential, if largely unrecognised, figures in British theatre history from the 1950s and 1960s. And - more importantly - the single most important and influential mentor figure in Alan Ayckbourn's life.
Without Stephen Joseph, Alan would not have become the internationally successful playwright he is today and Scarborough would not have a theatre which is known around the country.
The name of the Stephen Joseph Theatre marks the legacy of a figure who - whilst vastly under appreciated - had an extraordinary impact on both the town of Scarborough and many playwrights, actors and directors, not least Alan Ayckbourn. It also, in theory, represents the theatre's commitment to its founder's intentions, most primarily the development of new writers and writing as well as theatre in the round.
So one hopes, the theatre will always recognise in its title, the man who inspired Alan Ayckbourn and so many others.
Also, when the present building was conceived in the early 1990s, the name of the building was available to 'buy'. Sir Alan paid £400,000 to name the building, choosing the Stephen Joseph Theatre. It is believed the agreement included a covenant that the name could not be changed.
You can find out more about Stephen Joseph, his work and his influence here.
Simon Murgatroyd, 2023 (updated 2025)
Disclaimer
A Round Town is a subsidiary website of Alan Ayckbourn's Official Website and is neither affiliated to nor endorsed by the Stephen Joseph Theatre and does not reflect the views nor opinions of the company. All expressed views are the author's own and do not represent anyone else's opinions. The website is endorsed by Alan Ayckbourn but does not necessarily reflect his own views or opinions.Article by and copyright of Simon Murgatroyd. Images copyright of the respective copyright holder. Please do not reproduce without permission of the copyright holder.