Burnt Ash Drama Association is proud to recognise Sir Alan Ayckbourn, a giant of British Theatre, as its patron.

 

Born in London in 1939, the son of a violinist and a writer, who parted when he was still quite young, Ayckbourn joined Stephen Joseph's 'in the round' company in Scarborough, in 1957, as an acting assistant stage manager.  Joseph became a mentor and encouraged him to write, producing seven of his plays.  Audiences at this time were largely 'people who had had their holidays spoilt by rain'.  His breakthrough came in 1968 with his seventh play, 'Relatively Speaking'.  A comedy of misunderstandings and a peculiarly English politeness, with dialogue of beautiful simplicity and acute observation, it opened to critical acclaim in the West End and ran for a year.  'How the Other Loves' was an even bigger success, three years later; its setting, compromising half each of two identical apartments, an early example of his theatrical cleverness.

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Among Ayckbourn's other major successes are: 'Absurd Person Singular', 'The Norman Conquests' trilogy, 'Bedroom Farce', 'Just Between Ourselves', 'A Chorus Of Disapproval', 'Woman in Mind', 'A Small Family Business', 'Man of the Moment', 'House & Garden' and 'Private Fears in Public Places'.  His plays have won numerous awards, including seven London Evening Standard Awards.  They have been translated into over 35 languages and are performed on stage and television throughout the world.  Ten of his plays have been staged on Broadway, attracting two Tony nominations, and one Tony award.  

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For more information on Sir Alan Ayckbourn, why not visit his Official Website: www.alanayckbourn.net