The Norman Conquests: London's Old Vic production of Alan Ayckbourn's trilogy to play at the Circle in the Square

Alan Ayckbourn�s comic trilogy of plays, The Norman Conquests, will come to Broadway directly following its sold out critically acclaimed run in London.

The production, the latest success for The Old Vic Theatre Company under the artistic leadership of Kevin Spacey, will play for 16 weeks only.

The Norman Conquests, directed by Matthew Warchus, will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on 23 Apr 2009, following previews from 7 Apr, and playing through to 25 Jul 2009.

The first Broadway revival of Ayckbourn�s The Norman Conquests will feature the original 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 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 11 Sep - 20 Dec 2008 at The Old Vic and was an instant sell out. For the production, the 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,� (Sunday Telegraph); �You�ll laugh. A lot,� (The Times); �Left me helpless with hilarity,� (Daily Telegraph) and �Matthew Warchus�s production is wonderfully entertaining, fluent and expertly acted. I recommend seeing the whole trilogy. It�s heaven in triplicate,� (The Independent).

Alan Ayckbourn (Playwright) is one of England�s most treasured playwrights, author of 71 plays which have been produced in the West End, at the National Theatre or at the Royal Shakespeare Company. They have been translated into 35 languages, and performed continually throughout the world and have received many national and international awards.

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 produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Steven Baruch, Tom Viertel, Dede Harris, Tulchin/Bartner/Lauren Doll, Harriet Newman Leve, Eric Falkenstein/Jamie deRoy, Michael Filerman/Jennifer Manocherian, in association with Pam Laudenslager/Remmel T. Dickinson, Jane Dubin/True Love Productions, Barbara Manocherian/Jennifer Isaacson.