Stephen Joseph Theatre to Celebrate Stephen Joseph

The Stephen Joseph Theatre this year celebrates the remarkable man whose name will forever be associated with it - founder Stephen Joseph.

The year 2017 marks 50 years since Stephen Joseph's death in 1967. His legacy and association with the SJT will be celebrated with a series of events in September, including an exhibition of photographs and artefacts from 1 September to 7 October; and talks from Dr Paul Elsam, author of the acclaimed book Stephen Joseph: Theatre Pioneer & Provocateur with SJT Archivist Simon Murgatroyd, and from Stephen's friend and protégé Alan Ayckbourn (both 24 September).

Simon Murgatroyd says: "It's easy to forget the debt this theatre - and British theatre as a whole - owes to Stephen Joseph and his pioneering ideas. With the SJT's Artistic Director Paul Robinson reaffirming the company's commitment to Stephen's legacy of promoting new writing and writers, it seems an apt time to look back and recognise the groundbreaking work Stephen did and the effect which it had not only on theatre in this country, but also the people he worked with and inspired, as well as its impact on Scarborough."

Paul Elsam says: "I researched Stephen Joseph for my PhD some years ago and became so interested in his work that, yes, I ended up writing a book about him! An American reviewer described him as a 'Johnny Appleseed' - a gardener who has a vision, and nurtures the ground so that future generations can benefit. It's a great analogy - and one that we're going to enjoy revealing in our exhibition later this year."

The exhibition will take place in the SJT's gallery: entrance is free. The gallery is open from 10am each day except during show times.

The two talks will take place in the Round on Sunday 24 September - About Stephen Joseph at 3pm, and Remembering Stephen Joseph at 5pm. Tickets are £6.50 per talk, or £12 for both.

To buy tickets, please call the box office on 01723 370541 or visit the website: www.sjt.uk.com.

Photo credit: Scarborough Theatre Trust

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