As ingenious in its construction as any of his previous plays, Birthdays Past, Birthdays Present is Ayckbourn's 83rd play!
Key Cast:
Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Designer: Kevin Jenkins
Lighting Designer: Jason Taylor
Casting Director: Sarah Hughes
Price: From £10
It’s Mickey’s 80th birthday and he and his wife Meg are awaiting the arrival of their son, Adrian, and his new (and latest!) fiancée, Grace.
Adrian has, according to his parents, a certain reputation regarding women and they feel meek, mild-mannered Grace should surely be warned of this. But are things really as they appear? Be prepared, as birthday follows birthday, to be amazed as the truth is finally revealed about Adrian, the suburban closet Lothario!
As ingenious in its construction as any of his previous plays, Birthdays Past, Birthdays Present is the 83rd play from the pen of one of Britain’s greatest playwrights. This year is not only his 80th birthday, but also the 60th anniversary of his playwriting debut – The Square Cat, his first professionally produced play, opened at Scarborough’s Library Theatre on 30 July 1959.
‘It’s generally heartening to find Ayckbourn whipping up laughter in the face of artistic adversity, male vanity and looming mortality’
The Telegraph
★★★★
‘As inspired and acute as ever’
The Times (on Better Off Dead)
Wednesday 4 September 2019, 7.30pm
Thursday 5 September 2019, 1.30pm
Thursday 5 September 2019, 7.30pm
Friday 6 September 2019, 7.30pm
Saturday 7 September 2019, 2.30pm
Saturday 7 September 2019, 7.30pm
Monday 9 September 2019, 7.30pm
Tuesday 10 September 2019, 7.30pm
Thursday 12 September 2019, 7.30pm
Friday 13 September 2019, 7.30pm
Saturday 14 September 2019, 2.30pm
Monday 16 September 2019, 7.30pm
Tuesday 17 September 2019, 7.30pm
Wednesday 18 September 2019, 7.30pm
Thursday 19 September 2019, 1.30pm
Saturday 21 September 2019, 7.30pm
Monday 23 September 2019, 7.30pm
Tuesday 24 September 2019, 7.30pm
Thursday 26 September 2019, 7.30pm
Friday 27 September 2019, 7.30pm
Saturday 28 September 2019, 2.30pm
Monday 30 September 2019, 7.30pm
Tuesday 1 October 2019, 7.30pm
Wednesday 2 October 2019, 7.30pm
Thursday 3 October 2019, 1.30pm
Thursday 3 October 2019, 7.30pm
Friday 4 October 2019, 7.30pm
Saturday 5 October 2019, 2.30pm
Saturday 5 October 2019, 7.30pm
19 February - 20 February 2019
Presented production
Miles Jupp brings to life one of cinema’s most famous patriarchs, David Tomlinson.
READ MORE22 February
Presented production
A light-hearted look at the timelessness of love, money and the trials of running a wedding reception.
READ MORE23 February
Presented production
This 3 hour script writing workshop, examining ‘time’ and the significance of its impact on script writing.
READ MORE23 February
Presented production
Morgan & West present magic and mayhem for ages five to 105!
READ MORE23 February
Presented production
Morgan & West amaze and astound with their mind boggling magic!
READ MORE1 March
SJT production
Read all about our 2019 shows here - on sale 1 March or 15 Feb for Circle members!
READ MORE12 March - 16 March 2019
Presented production
This production of Shakespeare’s glorious romantic comedy is sure to capture your hearts this spring!
READ MORE13 March - 14 March 2019
Presented production
Want to change the world? You have one vote. Use it wisely.
READ MORE21 March - 22 March 2019
SJT production
What is Freedom? What makes us feel free, what doesn’t?
READ MORE23 March
SJT production
A collection of short plays based on young people’s own experiences of growing up in Scarborough.
READ MORE28 March - 20 April 2019
SJT production
Josie Botting is celebrating her birthday... but as a work-from-home dominatrix she’s lost the will to dominate...
READ MORE16 April - 20 April 2019
OutReach production
A lively, fun and interactive version of the Aesop's Fable about an impossible race.
READ MORE4 May
SJT production
Big hearted and quick-witted poems from a raconteur at the top of his game.
READ MORE8 May
Presented production
A showcase of play excerpts, directed and performed by professional and emerging talent.
READ MORE9 May
SJT production
John Hegley returns to the SJT with a delightful familiy show full of songs, drawings and poems.
READ MORE15 May
SJT production
What do you think would happen if you knocked on a stranger’s door and offered to write them a poem?
READ MORE20 May - 22 May 2019
SJT production
A lighthouse keeper lives on a desolate outcrop surrounded by stormy seas.
READ MORE23 May - 31 May 2019
SJT production
Oscar Wilde’s classic masterpiece is dazzlingly adapted with your choice of casting!
READ MORE30 May - 1 June 2019
SJT production
The Sign of Four is Conan Doyle’s epic second Sherlock Holmes tale. Crammed with adventure, romance, comedy.
READ MORE5 June
SJT production
There’s nothing else for it but to defy dementia, with music, songs and laughter.
READ MORE8 June
Presented production
If your children could create their very own magical musical adventure, what would it be?
READ MORE8 June
Presented production
Spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest, returning in 2019.
READ MORE20 June - 3 August 2019
SJT production
The ultimate feel-good comedy, with live music and tap dancing!
READ MORE25 July - 28 September 2019
SJT production
When families get together to celebrate a special occasion, there’s a danger that all hell will break loose.
READ MORE27 July - 24 August 2019
SJT production
Lottie adores stories... imagine her surprise when one morning she wakes up to find herself lost in Bookland!
READ MORE3 September
SJT production
After refusing to register his child’s birth, Strawman embarks on a personal and legal battle in order to keep his child.
READ MORE10 September
SJT production
This is a play based on experiences of being a transracial adoptee from Hong Kong and growing up in a very white world.
READ MORE13 September - 14 September 2019
SJT production
An explosive and passionate portrait of a young heroine of our times.
READ MORE17 September
SJT production
This fast-paced, electric script is from award-winning playwright Ben Snyder, who is currently writing for Netflix.
READ MORE24 September
SJT production
Feminist academic Laura returns to work following the death of her father.
READ MORE29 September
SJT production
To mark his 80th birthday, enjoy a look back on some of the 20 or so family and children’s plays written by Alan Ayckbourn.
READ MORE3 October - 19 October 2019
SJT production
Thrilling, chilling and witty, examining afresh the eternal question of whether we ever really change how we’re made.
READ MORE14 October - 19 October 2019
SJT production
A laugh out loud comedy about trying to find a moment of calm in these challenging times.
READ MORE5 December - 29 December 2019
SJT production
There’ll be songs, swords, talking vegetables, the Boyes’ Santa and a giant mechanical crab... called Susan.
READ MORE