LIFE OF RILEY to Begin UK Tours in Spring, 2011

Alan Ayckbourn, winner of the 2010 Tony Award for lifetime achievement, has big plans lined up for 2011: the British playwright's newest and 74th play will begin tours throughout the UK starting next Spring.

LIFE OF RILEY, which premiered in Scarborough, England, in September, will be directed by Ayckbourn himself. It will be sponsored by the Stephen Joseph Theatre Company. The cast and creative team have not yet been announced.

The show's current tour schedule extends throughout April: 

Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Jan. 26 - Feb. 5
Oxford Playhouse, Feb. 7 - 12
Bath Theatre Royal, Feb. 14 - 19
Cambridge Arts Theatre, Feb. 28 - March 5
Malvern Theatres, March 7-12
Theatre Royal Brighton, March 14-19
Richmond Theatre, March 21-26
Theatre Royal Windsor, March 28 - April 2

LIFE OF RILEY, according to the Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere, is the story of George Riley, who has a few months left to live: "George Riley's closest friends remember with love, nostalgia or occasional bursts of downright fury, how deeply he has affected all their past lives. George, though, is plotting one last final farewell which threatens to upset all their future lives. What exactly is the eccentric maverick Riley playing at?"

Other Ayckbourn favorites include: A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS, HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES, TAKING STEPS and the NORMAN CONQUESTS.