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 also hopes to forge 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.

◦ Page to Stage - The Woman in Black
Details: Tuesday 29 October at 6.30pm, Beeforth's Hive, Scarborough
Price: Free - Places limited and must be reserved in advance. More details soon.
Simon Murgatroyd celebrates the acclaimed book and play The Woman In Black and its journey in 1987 from the pages of Scarborough-born author Susan Hill's novella to the stage of the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round. A Halloween treat!

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

Walking Tours

Simon is available to do walking tours of Scarborough relating to the history and development of theatre in the round in the town. To find out more, contact Simon here.

Contacting Simon

To contact Simon about any of the events on this page or anything connected to A Round Town, please email him via the Contacts Page.