Family Circles: Archive Images

A collection of archive material, posters, rehearsal and production images pertaining to Alan Ayckbourn's Family Circles. The Archive Images page is presented in association with the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York where the Ayckbourn Archive is held. Click on an image to expand.

Family Circles (1970)

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The first page of the only original manuscript for The Story So Far… believed to still exist and held in the Ayckbourn Archive in the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York. This manuscript is substantially different to the heavily revised play Family Circles we know today.

Copyright: Haydonning Ltd
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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A strangely informal press release for world premiere of The Story So Far… at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, in 1970. The company had no dedicated press officer at the time and the role was taken by the theatre manager, Ken Boden - who makes clear his delight that Alan has written the script in time!

Copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust
Holding: The Bob Watson Archive

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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The company for the world premiere of The Story So Far… at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, in 1970. It included Bob Peck, Elisabeth Sladen, Stephanie Turner and Brian Miller.

Photographer: Ken Boden
Holding: The Bob Watson Archive

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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The general press release for the world premiere of The Story So Far… at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, making note that it was completed only three days prior to rehearsals starting.

Copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust
Holding: The Bob Watson Archive

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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At the time of the world premiere of The Story So Far…, Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre in Scarborough did not produce specific posters for productions. This is a rare poster board from the period, which would have been displayed in the venue's foyer.

Copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust
Holding: The Bob Watson Archive

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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A publicity image from the world premiere of The Story So Far… at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough, in 1970.

Photographer: Ken Boden (© Haydonning Ltd)
Holding: The Bob Watson Archive

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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Pages from the only known surviving manuscript of Me Times Me Times Me donated to the Ayckbourn Archive by David Wood. This script began the rewrite of The Story So Far… for a pre-West End tour of the play in 1971 which never reached the West End.

Copyright: Haydonning Ltd
Holding: Borthwick Institute For Archives

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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The pre-West End tour of Me Times Me Times Me is notable also for the fact it changed its title halfway through the tour. This programme illustrates the title of the play when the tour began…

Copyright: TBC
Holding: Borthwick Institute For Archives

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…and this programme shows the abridged title, Me Times Me, which came into force midway through the tour.

Copyright: TBC
Holding: Borthwick Institute fo Archives

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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The interior of the programme for the London premiere of Family Circles at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond in 1978. This marked the final itineration (and title) of the play.

Copyright: Orange Tree Theatre
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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A publicity image from the London premiere of Family Circles at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, in 1978.

Photographer: TBC (© Orange Tree Theatre)
Holding: Ayckbourn Digital Archive

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
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Alan Ayckbourn returned to Family Circles in 1985 reviving it at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round, Scarborough. The image features Ben Daniels as James & Caroline Webster as Deidre.

Photographer: Alec Russell
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives

Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
The Archive Images page is presented in association with the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York, where the Ayckbourn Archive is held.

All images on this page are copyright of the respective and labelled individual / organisation and should not be reproduced without permission.
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