Theatre

Alan is one of the most famous playwrights from the United Kingdom. He has written over 70 plays throughout his life and was even knighted for his contribution to theatre.

A scene from How The Other Half Loves

He was one of the first actors to tread the boards at the Vic – with the original theatre company - when it was the Victoria Theatre, at its former site in Hartshill, in the 60s.

Two of his plays premiered here prior to the West End; and he was the Associate Director for many years. He even ended his acting career at the theatre in a double-bill of Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter & The Collection in 1963.

How The Other Half Loves

In September 2009, Sir Alan even returned to the New Vic to direct one of his most famous comedies, How the Other Half Loves.

Despite being created specifically for a theatre-in-the-round, this production had not been performed in a circular space for 40 years.

In 1955, he acted at the Studio Theatre in Scarborough, which was a temporary space using a circular stage. He wrote his first play, The Square Cat, there in 1959.

The Studio Theatre Director, Stephen Joseph, decided to open a permanent theatre-in-the-round - the Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent - in 1962.

Alan spent two years at the Vic as the Associate Director. In that time Alan performed, wrote and directed many productions.

From the New Vic to the West End

Two of his plays premiered at the New Vic: Christmas v Mastermind (1962) and Mr Whatnot (1963).

Both went on to be staged in the West End - with casts including Ronnie Barker, Peter King and Judy Cornwell.

Alan left the Vic in 1964 and returned to the Studio Theatre in Scarborough.