The Norman Conquests
Alan Ayckbourn
An ingenious trilogy (Table Manners, Living Together, Round and Round the Garden) that depicts the same weekend in different rooms of a country house. The story follows the amorous and disruptive Norman, an assistant librarian, as he attempts to seduce his three sisters-in-law. The plays can be watched in any order, with events in one play explaining the off-stage actions in another. It is a masterpiece of structure and character, exploring the frustrations of family life and the desperate search for affection in a drab, claustrophobic domestic setting.
Norman: A frustrated, charismatic, and deeply needy assistant librarian who believes he is conquering women to bring them happiness, despite causing total chaos. Annie: Norman's sister-in-law, a weary caretaker of her mother, who initially agrees to a secret weekend away with Norman out of pure exhaustion. Sarah: The high-strung, controlling wife of Reg, who tries to maintain order while being simultaneously appalled and secretly tempted by Norman's advances.
First Performance: 1973, at Library Theatre, Scarborough
A theatrical landmark; won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play and became a global success.
Original Actors: Tom Courtenay, Felicity Kendal, Michael Gambon