THE NORMAN CONQUESTS' Producer Kevin Spacey To Guest On The Tonight Show 5/13

Kevin Spacey, the artistic director of The Old Vic in London, recently produced the first London revival of Alan Ayckbourn's masterpiece, the comic trilogy, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, directed by Matthew Warchus. The production is now playing on Broadway, where it has earned the best reviews of any play this season and was recently nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play and Best Direction of a Play (Matthew Warchus).

Spacey will discuss the show on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" tomorrow, May 13 at 11:35 PM. "The Tonight Show" airs locally on WNBC-TV Channel 4. Check local listings.

THE NORMAN CONQUESTS has been nominated for seven 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play, Best Direction of a Play (Matthew Warchus), Best Featured Actor in a Play (Stephen Mangan, Paul Ritter), Best Featured Actress in a Play (Jessica Hynes, Amanda Root), and Best Set Design of a Play (Rob Howell). The production is the winner of three Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Director of a Play (Matthew Warchus) and Outstanding Ensemble (Amelia Bullmore, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miles, Paul Ritter, Amanda Root).

The cast has also been honored with a Drama Desk Award for Distinguished Ensemble, a Theater World special award and a special citation from the NY Drama Critics Circle, shared with director Matthew Warchus.

THE NORMAN CONQUESTS is also nominated for five Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Play and a Drama League Award for Distinguished Revival of a Play.

THE NORMAN CONQUESTS opened Thursday, April 23 at Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue) earning rave reviews.

"So damn funny, it cripples you with laughter," wrote Ben Brantley, New York Times. "I doubt I've ever laughed longer or harder. A comic masterpiece!" cheered Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal. "A triple dose of superb comedy. Seeing one play is a pleasure. Watching a second is even better. Add a third and you will get the full force of Alan Ayckbourn's expert theatrical delirium," raved Mike Kuchwara, Associated Press. "Delivers more laughs than ought to be legal," claimed David Rooney, Variety. "One of the most hilarious days and nights you'll ever spend in a theatre," exclaimed Robert Feldberg, Bergen Record. "Matthew Warchus has spun comic gold. The cast is awe-inspiring," proclaimed Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post. "I was on the floor laughing," claimed John Heilpern, New York Observer.

 

The production plays a limited engagement through July 25.

 

The first Broadway revival of Ayckbourn's masterpiece features 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 comprises three full length plays - Table Manners, Living Together and Round and Round the Garden. Each individual play offers a view of one comically catastrophic weekend, shared by six spouses and in-laws, at the family house in the country. And while each play is complete on its own terms, by viewing all three plays (in any order), The Audience is able, detective-like, to piece together all of the hidden secrets and lies, the outrageous, hilarious and shocking interactions, which occurred over the weekend. And there are some wonderful and brilliant surprises!

 

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

 

THE NORMAN CONQUESTS trilogy is performed in repertory. The schedule is as follows:

 

Tuesday at 7:00 PM Round and Round the Garden

Wednesday at 2:00 PM Table Manners

Wednesday at 8:00 PM Living Together

Thursday at 8:00 PM Round and Round the Garden

Friday at 8:00 PM Table Manners

Saturday at 11:30 AM Table Manners

Saturday at 3:30 PM Living Together

Saturday at 8:00 PM Round and Round the Garden

Trilogy performances are also scheduled on Sunday, May 17 and Sunday, June 28, schedule as on Saturdays.

THE NORMAN CONQUESTS is 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.

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