ALAN AYCKBOURN - AYCKBOURN RETURNS AFTER STROKE

Playwright ALAN AYCKBOURN is returning to work to direct his new play IF I WERE YOU after recovering from a stroke. The stage star, who wrote the play prior to his ill health, suffered a stroke in February (06) and has spent the past five months convalescing. The drama, which will be held at Scarborough, England's Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT), will also see Ayckbourn resume his role as the theatre's artistic director. The 67-year-old says, "I'm thrilled to be 'home' at the SJT again and raring to get started rehearsing a brand new play. What more could I ask for?"