The Library Theatre / Stephen Joseph Collection at Scarborough Library

These pages relate to The Library Theatre / Stephen Joseph Collection held at Scarborough Library. This is the single most significant archival collection relation to Theatre inn the Round at the Library Theatre - the UK's first professional theatre-in-the-round company - in the UK, which is synonymous with Alan Ayckbourn

The Library Theatre / Stephen Joseph Collection

Scarborough Library is not just home to the Concert Room, where the UK's first professional theatre-in-the-round company was founded by Stephen Joseph in 1955. It is also home to the most substantive collection of archival material relating to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre in the UK.

The Library Theatre / Stephen Joseph Theatre Collection is currently being curated and documented by theatre historian and Alan Ayckbourn's archivist, Simon Murgatroyd M.A., and is an ongoing project to catalogue, expand and promote the collection. As the project progresses, details of this work will be expanded and carried on this page leading eventually to a full catalogue being available.

As of April 2026, the collection essentially consists of:
  • A practically complete collection of original programme for Theatre in the Round a the Library Theatre from 1955 to 1976.
  • Brochures and flyers for Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre between 1955 and 1976.
  • Correspondence relating to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre between 1955 and 1972 - including material by Stephen Joseph relating to the creation of the company.
  • Original ground-plans and designs for Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre.
  • Photographs for professional productions staged at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre between 1955 and 1976.
  • Publications by Stephen Joseph relating to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre.
  • Programmes collections for amateur productions staged at The Library Theatre from 1955 until the mind 1980s.
  • A practically complete collection of original programmes for the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round from 1976 to 1996.
  • Brochures and flyers for the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round from 1976 to 1996.
  • Newspaper cuttings relating to Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre and the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round.
  • A limited collection of miscellaneous material pertaining to the Stephen Joseph Theatre (1996 - present).
  • Published play-texts by Alan Ayckbourn and books by and about the playwright.

Future acquisitions are currently being explored with a working catalogue expected to be finished by the close of 2026.

Simon Murgatroyd M.A., April 2026