Kevin Spacey To Discuss THE NORMAN CONQUESTS On WNET 13 3/30

Kevin Spacey, the artistic director of The Old Vic in London, discusses the theatre's critically acclaimed production of Alan Ayckbourn's THE NORMAN CONQUESTS on "The Tavis Smiley Show" tonight, prior to the production beginning previews on Broadway next week. In the New York area, "The Tavis Smiley Show" runs at midnight on WNET Channel 13. Check local listings.

THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, directed by Matthew Warchus, begins previews on April 7 at Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). Opening night is Thursday, April 23. The production will play a limited engagement of 16 weeks only.

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.

Reviews for the production were ecstatic. "I came out feeling that it would be right up there on my list of all-time great theatre events," wrote Robert Gore-Langton in the Sunday Telegraph. "You'll laugh. A lot," exclaimed Benedict Nightingale, The Times. "Left me helpless with hilarity," cheered Charles Spencer in the Daily Telegraph. "Matthew Warchus's production is wonderfully entertaining, fluent and expertly acted. I recommend seeing the whole trilogy. It's heaven in triplicate," raved Paul Taylor in The Independent.

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, 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.

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

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).

www.NormanConquestsOnBroadway.com