Tickets On Sale For Cygnet's THE NORMAN CONQUESTS 5/24

Beginning this Monday, May 24th, tickets for Cygnet Theatre's production of Alan Ayckbourn's rollicking trilogy, The Norman Conquests, will be available for purchase. Directed by Artistic Director Sean Murray and Associate Artistic Director Francis Gercke, the three full length plays - Table Manners, Round and Round the Garden and Living Together, run in rotating repertory and feature the same six characters played by the same six actors. The extraordinary construct of Ayckbourn's trilogy is unlike anything else being done in the country this year and Cygnet is proud to offer its audience an opportunity to experience this unique theatrical event. The Norman Conquests will run July 28th through November 7th, 2010. Press Opening is Saturday, August 7th at 12pm, 4pm and 8pm.

First produced in Scarborough England in 1973, The Norman Conquests focuses on an odd-ball librarian and his quirky in-laws over a weekend in an English country home. Each play in Ayckbourn's trilogy reveals the weekend from a different room in the house and each uncovers more and more hysterical answers to each of the character's peculiar behaviors - ultimately creating a final hilarious picture. What is perhaps most impressive about these plays, however, is their true ability to stand entirely on their own as charming, laugh-filled solitary works. Each play is at times wildly comic and at times poignant in its portrayal of the various relationships and audiences can choose to see one play from the trilogy or all three for an even deeper insight and even more uproarious revelations.

Due to the extreme demands of cast and rehearsal time, few companies dare to produce Ayckbourn's entire trilogy, opting instead to perform one show from the series. It is perhaps for this reason that the most recent revival of the complete trilogy - which opened at The Old Vic in London in 2008 and transferred to New York in 2009 - became such a phenomenon, eventually earning a 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival.

Cygnet Theatre is the only theatre in the country to produce the entire trilogy this year. The nearly four-month run will include six Conquer Norman Saturdays - with all three plays performed on the same day - at 12pm, 4pm and 8pm. True Norman enthusiasts are invited to spend the day with Norman. Special lunch and dinner packages will be available at local Old Town restaurants.

Casting of The Norman Conquests is nearly complete and rehearsals will begin the first week of June. Sean Murray and Francis Gercke, who are currently co-directing Private Lives, will direct.

The Norman Conquests will be performed in rotating repertory with previews beginning July 28th. The Press Opening of The Norman Conquests is Saturday, August 7th at 12pm, 4pm and 8pm on Cygnet's Old Town Stage located at 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Tickets for each of the three shows can be purchased individually by visiting Cygnet's website at www.cygnettheatre.com or calling the box office at (619) 337-1525. Special package prices are also available for those who wish to see multiple shows in the trilogy. To purchase tickets in person, visit Cygnet's box office located at the Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Cygnet Theatre Company is a 501(k) 3 non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Artistic Director Sean Murray and Executive Director Bill Schmidt. In 2003, Cygnet renovated a storefront at 6663 El Cajon Blvd in the Rolando area into a 161-seat theatre. Cygnet has received over 50 awards and grown to one of the most highly regarded theatre companies in the San Diego area. In December 2007, Cygnet was awarded a 10-year lease by State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Concessions and Reservations Division of the Old Town Theatre. Located in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the 248-seat venue was renovated during the summer and fall of 2008 and re-opened in November.

For more information, visit www.cygnettheatre.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.