Norman Conquests Broadway Reviews
The Norman Conquests Triumphs With Broadway Critics
By Broadway Magazine Staff
Last night saw the official opening of the Broadway revival Alan Ayckbourn’s trilogy The Norman Conquests on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre, and today the critics have unanimously declared this revival the most successful comedy on Broadway. The Norman Conquests consists of three full-length plays, each of which stand alone…but when seen all together provide a unique and rewarding theater experience. Critics agree that the work of the six actor ensemble is impeccable and hilarious, and also that Matthew Warchus’ direction is outstanding. Significant accolades are going to playwright Alan Ayckbourn, who’s work is compared to Anton Chekhov in multiple reviews. Simple put, The Norman Conquests are the best reviewed comedy of the season to date. Samples of critics’ reviews below.
For in its impeccably natural portrayal of tales of ordinary misery, “Conquests” suggests nothing so much as Chekhov pumped full of nitrous oxide. Like “The Seagull” it is built on one of the wonderful paradoxes of theater: deeply unhappy people can generate profound happiness in audiences allowed to eavesdrop on their lives. -Ben Brantley, New York Times
England’s most commercially successful living playwright, the prolific Ayckbourn has long been known for his innovative dramatic structures. He first showcased this proclivity with “Norman,” which consists of three separate works (”Table Manners,” “Living Together” and “Round and Round the Garden”) featuring the same characters and taking place during one weekend at a home in the English countryside. -Frank Scheck, Reuters
The Norman Conquests is so damned funny (though grounded, as Ayckbourn’s comedy always is, in real human emotion) that it may simply perpetuate the misconception of Ayckbourn as a skilled boulevard entertainer. Which would leave American audiences still largely ignorant of the astonishing body of work by - controversial-pronouncement alert! - the greatest living English-language playwright. -Richard Zoglin, TIME
Three full-length comedies view the same extended-family July weekend in adjacent locales, providing titillating revelations as funny as they are serious. They may be seen in any order, and if you don’t have time for all three, each stands perfectly well on its own. You may not yet know the six fine young British actors, but you will recognize at least one person they play: yourself. -John Simon, Bloomberg
Much of the success owes to Matthew Warchus (”God of Carnage,” “Boeing-Boeing”), a director with a Midas touch for comedy who’s steered a wonderful, well-oiled cast from across the pond. The six actors draw you irresistibly into their exploits. -Joe Dziemianowicz, New York Daily News
As played by Stephen Mangan, Norman is something of a madcap. Bearded and shaggy-headed, he dresses ridiculously at times, as costumed by Rob Howell, who also designed the sets.-Malcolm Johnson, Hartford Courant
We watch as desperate lothario Norman (Stephen Mangan) attempts to seduce his sister-in-law Annie (Jessica Hynes), charm his brother-in-law’s conwife Sarah (Amanda Root) and woo his estranged wife Ruth (Amelia Bullmore), during a disastrously hilarious weekend of eating, drinking and misunderstanding. -Matt Windman, am New York
Woody Allen in his prime was a great proponent of the theory that comedies should do the job in 90 minutes. Thankfully, Alan Ayckbourn must have missed that memo. Over seven hours of hilarious peaks and contemplative valleys, his 1973 trilogy “The Norman Conquests” delivers more laughs than ought to be legal while steadily expanding our perspective on the needling dissatisfaction beneath the comic chaos of his characters’ lives. -David Rooney, Variety
For all its clever writing, however, this triptych would not work as well without Matthew Warchus’ assured direction or the performances of this superb, clockwork-working ensemble (of whom Mangan is first among equals.)-David Finkle, Theatermania
Tags: Alan Ayckbourn, Alan Cumming, Amanda Root, Anton Chekhov, Broadway, Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv, Circle In The Square, Cote De Pablo, Critics, Gina Gershon, Jessica Hynes, Kevin Spacey, London, Matthew Warchus, Old Vic, Opening Night, Paul Ritter, Reviews, Stephen Magnon, Swoosie Kurtz, The Norman Conquests, Video, West End
