Ayckbourn's Comic Trilogy, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS Opens 4/23

Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy trilogy, The Norman Conquests, began previews on Tuesday, April 7 on Broadway, prior to celebrating Opening Night, tonight, Thursday, April 23 at Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue).

The first Broadway revival of Ayckbourn’s masterpiece will feature the original heralded company from The Old Vic: Amelia Bullmore (Ruth), Jessica Hynes (Annie), Stephen Mangan (Norman), Ben Miles (Tom), Paul Ritter (Reg) and Amanda Root (Sarah).

The Norman Conquests will be produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Steven Baruch, Tom Viertel, Dede Harris, Tulchin/Bartner/Lauren Doll, Jamie deRoy, Eric Falkenstein, Harriet Newman Leve, Probo Productions, Douglas G. Smith, Michael Filerman/Jennifer Manocherian, Richard Winkler in association with Dan Frishwasser, Pam Laudenslager/Remmel T. Dickinson, Jane Dubin/True Love Productions, Barbara Manocherian/Jennifer Isaacson.

The Norman Conquests comprises three full length plays – Table Manners, Living Together and Round and Round the Garden – which are ingeniously written to be enjoyed individually or as a trilogy, in any order.    The action is simultaneous and each exit in one play turns out to be an entrance in another.  The plays will be performed on a rotating schedule during the week and can also be seen in one day on “Trilogy Saturdays”.

Set in the dining room (Table Manners), living room (Living Together) and garden (Round and Round the Garden) of an English country house, The Norman Conquests follows six characters – assistant librarian Norman, his wife, in-laws and the local vet – from Saturday night through Monday morning.  We watch as desperate lothario Norman (Stephen Mangan) attempts to seduce his sister-in-law Annie (Jessica Hynes), charm his brother-in-law’s wife Sarah (Amanda Root) and woo his estranged wife Ruth (Amelia Bullmore), during a disastrously hilarious weekend of eating, drinking and misunderstanding.  With his characteristic compassionate humor, Ayckbourn explores the disappointments bubbling beneath the surface as his characters’ dreams of love and fulfillment go amiss.

The first London revival of The Norman Conquests ran September 11-December 20, 2008 at The Old Vic and was an instant sell out.   For the production, the venerable 200-year-old theatre was converted for an in-the-round staging which will be retained for Circle in the Square’s unique configuration.

The Norman Conquests is designed by Rob Howell, with lighting by David Howe, music by Gary Yershon and sound by Simon Baker for Autograph.

The Norman Conquests will be performed in repertory.  The schedule is as follows:

Table Manners

Week of 4/20: Wednesday, April 22 - 8:00pm; Friday, April 24 - 8:00pm; Saturday, April 25 - 11:00am

Living Together

General schedule: Wednesday - 8:00pm; Saturday - 3:00pm

Week of 4/20: Wednesday, April 22 - 2:00pm; Saturday, April 25 - 2:00pm

Round and Round the Garden

General schedule: Tuesday - 7:00pm; Thursday - 8:00pm; Saturday - 8:00pm

Week of 4/20: Tuesday, April 21 - 8:00pm; Thursday, April 23 - 6:45pm; Saturday, April 25 - 8:00pm

All three plays will also be performed on Sunday May 17 and Sunday June 28.  (Performance times as on Saturdays).

Tickets are onsale through Telecharge at 212-239-6200, at  www.telecharge.com and at Circle in the Square Theatre’s box office (235 West 50th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue).

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