Alan Ayckbourn Encyclopaedia: O
The Old House: The earliest known published work by Alan Ayckbourn is his poem, The Old House. Written at the age of nine, it was published in the first edition of The Lodgean, the magazine for Wisborough Lodge Scholastic's which he attended from 1946 until 1951.The Old Laundry: An in-the-round theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District which is based upon the design of the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round. Founded and designed by Alan Ayckbourn's frequent designer Roger Glossop, Alan Ayckbourn is a trustee of the theatre and has a close relationship with the venue and the majority of his premieres and revivals at the Stephen Joseph Theatre have toured there since it opened in 1992. In 2022, it hosted its first Ayckbourn world premiere with All Lies followed by Welcome to the Family in 2023.
The Olivier: The largest of the three auditoria at the National Theatre, London. Alan Ayckbourn wrote the play A Small Family Business specifically to cope with the size of the auditorium, where it received its world premiere in 1987 and was later revived in 2014. He has also directed Sisterly Feelings, A Chorus Of Disapproval and Garden (as part of House & Garden) in this venue.
Olivier Awards: Alan has been nominated for a number of the prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards over the years for the West End productions of his work. His only success, as of 2009, was in 1985 for Best Comedy with A Chorus Of Disapproval. As of 2011, he has been nominated for 10 Oliviers across the Best Director, Best Comedy and Best Play categories. In 2009 he was awarded the Society's Special Award for his contribution to theatre.
Olympics: See London 2012 Festival.
Omnibus: Alan Ayckbourn has been featured twice in the BBC arts documentary series Omnibus. The first episode of the re-launched series (in a new magazine-type format), broadcast on 24 January 1982, featured a discussion between Alan Ayckbourn, Michael Billington and Barry Norman about his career. On 13 February 1990, Sex, Politics & Alan Ayckbourn was dedicated to Michael Billington exploring Alan Ayckbourn's career, centred on the London premiere of Man Of The Moment.
One Act Plays: Alan Ayckbourn has written a number of one-act plays. He has written four one-acts plays which are considered part of the official canon: Countdown (1962); A Cut In The Rates (1984); Chloë With Love (2013); The Kidderminster Affair (2013). There are several other one-act plays which are considered as 'Grey Plays' (produced but not published and not available for production) and these are: Love Undertaken (1961); Double Hitch (1962); Follow The Lover (1962); Dracula (1975); An Evening With PALOS (1987).
One Day In Spring: A proposed title for the play Life Of Riley.
On The House: A proposed title for the play A Brief History of Women.
A One Man Protest (Intimate Exchanges): One of the eight major permutations of Intimate Exchanges in which Miles stages a protest in a shed, causing anxiety for Sylvie, Celia and Rowena and leading to the shed being burnt down by Lionel. It has two possible permutations for the final scene comprising A Midnight Mass and A School Celebrates.
Order Of Appearance: The original title for the play Roundelay. The first draft of the play bears the title as well as featuring substantial differences in the plot and text.
Orvin - Champion Of Champions: Alan Ayckbourn's 64th play premiered at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, on 8 August 2003. It is Alan Ayckbourn's second full-length collaboration with the composer Denis King and was commissioned by the National Youth Music Theatre. The fantasy musical follows the adventures of a squire, whose ineptness leads to the death of the Kingdom's champion. The Gods decree Orvin must take his place and become a champion to thwart the plans of an evil prince.
Osborne, Henry: Henry 'Harry' Osborne was a noted architect who was responsible for designing the Stephen Joseph Theatre (1996 - present).
Oxford Playhouse: Theatre where Alan worked as an acting stage manager (stage manager with acting responsibilities) in 1957.
Oxford University: See University Of Oxford.
Original research for the The Alan Ayckbourn Encyclopaedia section is by Simon Murgatroyd and copyright of the author.