The Old Vic brings Alan Ayckbourn's comic masterpieces, The Norman Conquests to the London stage for the first time in 34 years. Matthew Warchus (Speed-the-Plow, God of Carnage, The Lord of the Rings) directs an outstanding ensemble cast including Amelia Bullmore, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miles, Paul Ritter and Amanda Root. Especially for this production The Old Vic auditorium will be transformed into 'The CQS Space' to recreate the intimate 'theatre-in-the-round' space that the plays were originally written for.

The three interconnecting plays, Round and Round the Garden, Table Manners and Living Together follow the same six characters, Norman, his in-laws and the local vet over a summer weekend, in an English country house. Believing it his mission in life to make women happy by showering them with love, Norman (Stephen Mangan) makes the most of every opportunity to seduce his sister-in-law Annie (Jessica Hynes), charm his brother-in-law's wife Sarah and woo his wife Ruth (Amelia Bullmore) during this disastrous weekend of squabbling, eating, drinking and fondling. Table Manners, Living Together and Round and Round the Garden are ingeniously structured to allow each play to be enjoyed independently or as a trilogy in any combination. Together, they create a fascinating, hilarious puzzle, which weaves a masterful web of interconnecting secrets and desires.

With his inimitable wit and compassion, Ayckbourn reveals the frustration and disappointment which bubble beneath the surface of a family's relationships and brings to light their thoughts on sex, marriage, love and loneliness. Choose where to view the action from, the dining room (Table Manners), the living room (Living Together) or the garden (Round and Round the Garden)... or of course you can piece together the puzzle from all three...

Dates
Performances from: 11th September 2008
Booking until: 20th December 2008

Audience: The Norman Conquests are suitable for audiences aged 14 and upwards

Run Time: TBA