Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre announces cast for Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play THE GIRL NEXT DOOR

Casting has been announced for the Stephen Joseph Theatre’s first production of 2021, Alan Ayckbourn’s The Girl Next Door.

Ayckbourn’s 85th play will be directed by the author himself and will play at the Scarborough venue from 4 June-3 July.

The production will feature two separate casts, in light of the current Covid situation, with the majority of the shows performed by Bill Champion, Linford Johnson, Alexandra Mathie and Naomi Petersen.

Bill Champion plays veteran actor Rob Hathaway, stuck at home during the summer of 2020 with only his sensible older sister for company. Rob has little to do but relive his glory days when, as the star of the nation’s favourite TV period drama National Fire Service, he ruled the roost as George ‘Tiger’ Jennings: wartime hero, and living legend among firefighters.

Then one day Rob spots a stranger hanging out the washing in the adjoining garden. But the neighbours haven’t been around for months. So who is the mysterious girl next door? And why is she wearing 1940s clothing?

Should any of this bubble show symptoms, the entire group will have to self-isolate – and a second bubble comprising of Georgia Burnell, Michael Hobbs, Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong, Eliza McClelland will step in. They will also perform the show on a number of dates throughout the run.

The Girl Next Door is designed by Kevin Jenkins, with lighting by Jason Taylor.

The SJT’s Artistic Director, Paul Robinson, says: “The safety of our audiences, staff and visiting freelancers, including the actors, is paramount.

“For this first show of 2021, which opens before the final step of the government’s roadmap on 21 June, we thought it was important to have a second team on hand in case of any problems.”

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.