THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, the 2009 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Play, will play one last series of inspired performances today. The Old Vic's critically acclaimed production of Alan Ayckbourn's comedy trilogy, directed by Matthew Warchus, ends its strictly limited engagement today, Sunday, July 26 at Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street).
THE NORMAN CONQUESTS won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. The production is also the winner of three Drama Desk and three Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Director of a Play (Mattthew Warchus), and Distinguished Ensemble (Amelia Bullmore, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miles, Paul Ritter, Amanda Root).
The cast was also honored with a Theatre World special award and a special citation from the NY Drama Critics' Circle, shared with director Matthew Warchus.
THE NORMAN CONQUESTS opened Thursday, April 23 on Broadway, earning the best reviews of any play this season.
"So damn funny, it cripples you with laughter," wrote Ben Brantley, New York Times. "I doubt I've ever laughed longer or harder. A comic masterpiece!" cheered Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal. "A triple dose of superb comedy. Seeing one play is a pleasure. Watching a second is even better. Add a third and you will get the full force of Alan Ayckbourn's expert theatrical delirium," raved Mike Kuchwara, Associated Press. "Delivers more laughs than ought to be legal," claimed David Rooney, Variety. "One of the most hilarious days and nights you'll ever spend in the theatre," exclaimed Robert Feldberg, Bergen Record. "Matthew Warchus has spun comic gold. The cast is awe-inspiring," proclaimed Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post. "I was on the floor laughing," claimed John Heilpern, New York Observer.
The first Broadway revival of Ayckbourn's masterpiece features Amelia Bullmore (Ruth), Jessica Hynes (Annie), Stephen Mangan (Norman), Ben Miles (Tom), Paul Ritter (Reg) and Amanda Root (Sarah).
THE NORMAN CONQUESTS comprises three full length plays - Table Manners, Living Together and Round and Round the Garden. Each individual play offers a view of one comically catastrophic weekend, shared by six spouses and in-laws, at the family house in the country. And while each play is complete on its own terms, by viewing all three plays (in any order), the audience is able, detective-like, to piece together all of the hidden secrets and lies, the outrageous, hilarious and shocking interactions, which occurred over the weekend. And there are some wonderful and brilliant surprises!
The production is designed by Rob Howell, with lighting by David Howe, music by Gary Yershon and sound by Simon Baker for Autograph.
THE NORMAN CONQUESTS trilogy is performed in repertory. The schedule for today is as follows:
Sunday at 11:30 AM Table Manners
Sunday at 3:30 PM Living Together
Sunday at 8:00 PM Round and Round the Garden
THE NORMAN CONQUESTS is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, 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.
Tickets are on sale through Telecharge at 212-239-6200, at www.telecharge.com and at the Circle in the Square box office (235 West 50th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue).
For more information visit www.NormanConquestsOnBroadway.com
