Neighbourhood Watch: Alan Ayckbourn play at 59e59

The Stephen Joseph Theatre presents the US premiere of Neighbourhood Watch, written and directed by Alan Ayckbourn, opening at 59E59's Theater A on 7 Dec 2011, following previews from 30 Nov 2011, and closing on 1 Jan 2012, as part of the Brit's Off-Broadway festival.

Alan Ayckbourn's 75th play Neighbourhood Watch is about The Bluebell Hill Development, where things are not right. Theft, petty crime, and vandalism—all the ills of modern suburban living—are on the rise. Newcomers Martin and his sister Hilda are the crime wave's latest victims - on the very day of their housewarming party, no less - and resolve to take action. But what starts out as a well-intentioned neighborhood watch scheme soon develops into something altogether more sinister. And hilarious.

The cast for Neighbourhood Watch features Terence Booth and Alexandra Mathie, who return to 59E59 having starred in Alan Ayckbourn's My Wonderful Day (2009). Joining them in the cast are Eileen Battye, Phil Cheadle, Matthew Cottle, Richard Derrington, Frances Grey and Amy Loughton.

The set and costume designer is Pip Leckenby. The lighting designer is Mick Hughes.

Neighbourhood Watch marks Alan Ayckbourn's fourth play to make its New York or US premiere at Brits Off Broadway. Previous plays include 'Private Fears in Public Places' (2005), 'Intimate Exchanges' (2007) and 'My Wonderful Day' (2009).

Neighbourhood Watch premiered at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, UK in Sep of 2011. The Daily Telegraph called it "blissful," saying that playwright Alan Ayckbourn is "as bang on the money as ever!" The Guardian called it "Cracking good!"

Alan Ayckbourn (writer/director) is the former Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, a post he held for 37 years until his retirement in 2009 and one of Britain's most performed playwrights. Almost all of his 75 plays received their first performance at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, with more than 35 of his works being subsequently staged in the West End, at the National Theatre or by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Major successes include 'Relatively Speaking,' 'How the Other Half Loves,' 'Absurd Person Singular,' 'Bedroom Farce,' 'A Chorus of Disapproval,' 'A Small Family Business,' 'Henceforward...,' 'Comic Potential,' 'Things We Do For Love' and 'House & Garden.' In 2009, Matthew Warchus' in-the-round production of 'The Norman Conquests' first seen at the Old Vic transferred to Broadway, earning a Tony for Best Revival of a Play.