Amateur Stage Magazine

The essence of Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s playwriting success has surely been passed down in the genes to his son Philip who has signed his first full-length play ‘The Essence Of Love’ into the catalogue of the publisher and rights-holder, Stagescripts Ltd.

Philip Ayckbourn’s two act play is a lively comedy-farce that takes a wry look at the madness of infatuation and what remains when passions have run their course. A mother and her daughter, a father and his son, find themselves on neighbouring hotel terraces in Marrakech. The ‘holiday in the  sun’ soon threatens to be clouded by the usual family tensions, and also by some that are distinctly unusual.

With a cast of 3m, 2f it is ideal for small professional touring companies or for amateur groups. Accompanying the play is an optional set of recorded incidental music specially composed by Colin Appleby which instantly transports the audience to the desert sunshine and open air markets of Morocco.

Whilst Sir Alan makes his plays available through a market leading publisher  and rights-holder, Philip has chosen Stagescripts, a young newcomer to the industry, to handle script sales and production licensing. Managing Director, David Waters said “We’re naturally very pleased that Philip saw in us the right level of enthusiasm and interest and we look forward to a long relationship with him. His father might be the vintage Bordeaux in the Ayckbourn family, but Philip is the eagerly awaited and vibrant Beaujolais Nouveau!”

Philip says : “I'm delighted Stagescripts is publishing a play I very much enjoyed writing. The first, I hope, in a long list of future titles.”