2009

17 January: Alan Ayckbourn unofficially steps down as Artistic Director of the SJT on the final night of his play Awaking Beauty; Chris Monks becomes Artistic Director Designate.
29 January: The SJT production of Woman in Mind, starring Janie Dee, transfers to the Vaudeville Theatre, London, for a limited season.
12 February: BBC Radio 4 records an episode of With Greatest Pleasure at the SJT featuring Alan Ayckbourn.
13 - 15 February: First collaboration between The SJT and the Coastival festival.
7 March: Sir Alan Ayckbourn receives the Lawrence Olivier's Awards Special Award
12 March: With the SJT declining to mark the 70th birthday of Alan Ayckbourn due to wishing to concentrate on the appointment of its new Artistic Director, a 70th anniversary season - Ayckbourn at 70 - takes place 142 miles away from Scarborough at the Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton, despite having no historical connection with Alan Ayckbourn.
17 - 21 March: Northern Broadsides and the West Yorkshire Playhouse's production of Othello tours to the SJT. Starring Lenny Henry, it is a complete sell-out.
31 March: Alan Ayckbourn officially steps down as Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre after 37 years in the role. At his retirement he is one of the UK's longest serving Artistic Directors at a single venue.
1 April: Chris Monks officially takes over the position of Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

The SJT continues to operate to this day. The story of events subsequent to 2009 is for someone else to tell though. Theatre in the Round in Scarborough's history on this website ends here with the stepping down of Alan Ayckbourn and with him, the final connection to the company's founder Stephen Joseph.

Article by and copyright of Simon Murgatroyd. Please do not reproduce this article without permission of the copyright holder.