Welcome to Yorkshire
Inspiration • August 19th, 2026
|The Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) in Scarborough is set to host a special fundraising weekend from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September, featuring the much-anticipated event, Welcome to Pendon. This event celebrates the fictional town of Pendon, which is known to fans of playwright Alan Ayckbourn as the backdrop for many of his beloved plays. This weekend promises to be a treat for theatre lovers and newcomers alike.
Weekend Events
The festivities will kick off on Friday evening with Backstage Secrets, an engaging conversation featuring theatre professionals who have collaborated with Ayckbourn over the years. Attendees will hear from a range of speakers, including actors and directors like Robin Herford and Antony Eden, choreographer Sheila Carter, and stage manager Fleur Beeley. They will share intriguing stories and behind-the-scenes insights about what it takes to bring a play to life.
On Sunday afternoon, the highlight of the weekend will be a rehearsed reading of Welcome to Pendon, directed by Ayckbourn himself. This reading is particularly exciting as it has never been performed in Scarborough before. The cast includes talented actors such as Eileen Battye, Terence Booth, Georgia Burnell, Bill Champion, and Antony Eden.
About Welcome to Pendon
The story revolves around a character named Josh, who is eager to introduce his fiancée, Sara, to his parents, Lord and Lady Meizner. However, there’s a catch—they are no longer alive. To solve this problem, Josh’s Uncle Lance surprises him with a high-tech ‘Capture’ visit to the past, allowing him to experience his family home once more. While the celebratory champagne flows, family secrets are poised to be revealed, making for a captivating tale that blends humour and drama.
Pendon has long been a part of Ayckbourn's creative universe, featuring in productions like Ten Times Table, A Chorus of Disapproval, and Way Upstream. Its most recent appearance was as the setting for Welcome to the Family, a show written for the Old Laundry Theatre in 2023. This connection to Pendon adds depth and excitement to the upcoming events at the SJT.
