Alan Ayckbourn: Contributions

In addition to his own extensive body of work, Alan Ayckbourn has also contributed to other works - from providing short plays to song lyrics. This page contains details about his contribution to Where Is Peter Rabbit?

Where Is Peter Rabbit?

2016 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of the writer Beatrix Potter, author of children's books such as The Tale Of Peter Rabbit and The Tale Of Jemima Puddle-Duck. It also marked the 25th anniversary of The World Of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness-on-Windermere, which had been created by Alan Ayckbourn's long-time designer and friend Roger Glossop.

As part of the celebration, Roger Glossop devised a piece for The Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness - located next to the Beatrix Potter attraction and also run by Roger - based around five of Beatrix Potter's most famous stories. The result was Where Is Peter Rabbit? featuring songs, puppets and actors. Alan Ayckbourn was not originally involved in the production, but when the original lyricist Victoria Wood had to withdraw for health reasons, Roger asked Alan if he would contribute the lyrics to several songs for the show to which Alan Ayckbourn agreed. Alan's contribution was limited solely to writing lyrics and he was not - as several media articles reported - co-writer or co-producer nor had any other involvement in the successful production which eventually transferred to the West End.

The play opened at The Old Laundry Theatre on 27 June 2016 and received much acclaim from the critics whilst proving to be very popular with audiences.

The Where Is Peter Rabbit? songs are held in the Ayckbourn Archive at the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York.

Copyright: Simon Murgatroyd. Please do not reproduce without permission of the copyright holder.

Where Is Peter Rabbit? (2016)

World premiere: 27 June 2016
Venue: The World Of Beatrix Potter Attraction,
Bowness-on-Windermere

Director: Sheila Carter
Music: Steven Edis
Lyrics: Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Roger Glossop
Lighting: Jason Taylor
Sound: Sam Glossop & Andrew Sulley
Video: Tim Reid
Costumes: Caroline Hughes
Choreography: Sheila Carter

Character
Jemima / Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
Jeremy Fisher / Tommy Brock / Kep
Mr Tod / Mr McGregor
Beatrix Potter
Dance Captain / Swing Cover
Peter Rabbit / Lucie

Featuring the voices of

Actor
Grace Eccle
Steven Hardcastle
Oliver Mawdsley
Danielle Morris
Katie Shearman
Molly Waters

Miriam Gargoyles
Griff Rhys Jones
All research in this section is by Simon Murgatroyd and should be credited if reproduced.