Suburban Strains: Significant Productions

This page contains details of significant productions of Alan Ayckbourn's Suburban Strains, such as the world and London premieres as well as Ayckbourn-directed revivals. It is not a complete list of productions given how frequently Alan Ayckbourn's plays are performed by professionals and amateur companies around the world.

World Premiere (1980)

First performance: 17 January 1980
World premiere: 18 January 1980
Final performance: 9 February 1980
Venue: Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough
Staging: Round

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Musical Director: Paul Todd
Choreographer: Sarah Bennett
Designer: John Hallé

Stage Manager: Amanda Saunders
Deputy Stage Manager: Miles Andrews
Assistant Stage Manager: Eric Lumsden
Character
Caroline
Kevin
Matthew / Mr Oatman
Jilly / Anne / Miss Dent
Ivor / Mr Grubland
Douglas / Naylor / Howard
Linda / Joanna

The Band
Keyboards
Guitar / Banjo
Strings / Electric Bass
Drums / Percussion
Percussion / Keyboards
Actor
Lavinia Bertram
Robin Bowerman
Robin Herford
Alison Skilbeck
Jeffery Robert
John Arthur
Nina Edwards


Chris Achenbach
Iain Hawkins
Pete Mentzell
Ron Wray
Paul Todd

Revival (1981)

Premiere: 14 January 1981
Final performance: 28 March 1981
Venue: Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough
Staging: Round

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Musical Director: Paul Todd
Choreographer: Sarah Bennett
Designer: John Hallé
Lighting: Francis Lynch
Sound: Jane Smailes

Stage Manager: Simon Whitaker
Deputy Stage Manager: Eric Lumsden
Assistant Stage Manager: Sue Merry
Assistant Stage Manager: Philippa Malbon
Character
Caroline
Kevin
Matthew / Mr Oatman
Jilly / Anne / Miss Dent
Ivor / Mr Grubland
Douglas / Naylor / Howard
Linda / Joanna

The Band
Keyboards
Guitars
Bass Guitar
Drums
Percussion / Keyboards
Actor
Lavinia Bertram
Michael Simkins
Robin Herford
Marcia Warren
Graeme Eton
Russell Dixon
Tessa Peake-Jones


Dave Newton
Iain Hawkins
Paul Morgan
Ron Wray
Paul Todd
Note: Suburban Strains was revived at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round in 1981, ostensiably for a transfer to London (see below). However, following its initial 11 day run at the venue (14 - 24 January), it was announced the production would return to Scarborough for another nine performances followings its London residency. The extra performances ran from 18 - 28 March 1981.

London Premiere (1981)

Premiere: 5 February 1981
Final performance: 14 March 1981
Venue: The Round House, London
Staging: Round

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Musical Director: Paul Todd
Choreographer: Sarah Bennett
Designer: John Halle
Lighting: Francis Lynch
Sound: Jane Smailes
Character
Caroline
Kevin
Matthew / Mr Oatman
Jilly / Anne / Miss Dent
Ivor / Mr Grubland
Douglas / Naylor / Howard
Linda / Joanna

The Band
Keyboards
Guitars
Bass Guitar
Drums
Percussion / Keyboards
Actor
Lavinia Bertram
Michael Simkins
Robin Herford
Marcia Warren
Graeme Eton
Russell Dixon
Tessa Peake-Jones


Dave Newton
Iain Hawkins
Paul Morgan
Ron Wray
Paul Todd
Note: Suburban Strains toured to The Round House for a month-long residency following a short revival at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round.
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.