DURING a car journey Sir Alan Ayckbourn's wife Heath- er read his latest production Awaking Beauty and thought it was different to anything he had written before.

After 72 original plays Sir Alan continues to surprise audiences with his work, whether they are in the front row of a theatre or sitting in the back of a car.

He says: "The effort of theatre is always to try and keep ahead of your audience and surprise, enchant and mystify them occasionally and get their eternal following."

The playwright started enchanting theatre-goers nearly 50 years ago with his first production The Square Cat and has built his following as artistic director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

For 36 years Sir Alan has shaped the theatre's creative direction but in January he will step down from the role to make way for director and writer Chris Monks.

Sitting in his office at the theatre he talks frankly about the prospect of handing over the keys to the kingdom.

He remembers: "A couple of years ago I said I would like to hand the job over to someone and there has been quite a gradual process between myself and Chris. It's a very gentle relay race with handing over the baton.

"I will be coming into the building as a guest, and, I hope, a welcome guest. I've said to him I will be available for him if he wants me.

"It would be nice to come in as a visitor and if something has fallen over not to feel a twinge of guilt that it's my responsibility to pick it up.

"If I come in and someone has moved something I probably won't mind, but I might just do a double take."

One of the challenges Chris faces as artistic director is having to think ahead with the theatre's schedule.

Sir Alan explains: "You have to know what your autumn production will be in January and yet suddenly the whole temperature of the country will have changed. Who could have seen the economic chaos then? Thank God we're not doing a play about a successful bank."

His latest play, the musical Awaking Beauty, should be the perfect antidote to the economic gloom and winter blues.

Starting where the Sleeping Beauty tale left off, Princess Aurora has awoken from a 100-year slumber following a kiss from the handsome prince. The pair should live happily ever after, but Sir Alan has a twist up his sleeve.

The wicked witch, who put the princess to sleep, has also fallen in love with the prince and will do whatever it takes to win the man of her dreams.

Sir Alan says: "This one is an adult children's show let's say. The piece also has an underlying subject of beauty. We seem to be obsessed with beauty in many of its elements, particularly with the makeover shows.

"If this fable has a moral it is simply that we should stop worrying about externals and worry more about internals.