The Norman Conquests Opening Night Video Victory

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

In London, Kevin Spacey physically transformed the legendary Old Vic theatre in his effort to preserve the integrity of bringing Alan Ayckbourn's The Norman Conquests to the Old Vic stage. That production was a tremendous hit, and has now moved, with its entire ensemble of actors, to Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre, where critics have instantly made the show the "must-see" comedy of the Broadway season. Conquest, indeed. Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine were there on the opening night to capture the red carpet and post show excitement as a new hit was born on Broadway.

Broadway Show: The Norman Conquests

"I'm a big Alan Ayckbourn fan," says Sweet Land and Broadway star Alan Cumming before the show. Mr. Cumming first experienced these plays courtesy of the BBC.

"I'm just ready to be delighted. I haven't seen theatre - Broadway - in two years. I'm just looking forward to that," smiles Cote De Pablo while talking about her excitement for the show.

"I literally just got off a plane," laughs Gina Gershon as she heads in to see the production. Ms. Gershon undoubtedly enjoys the irony of her post-flight arrival, having earned rave reviews last season for her work in the plane-based sex-farce Boeing-Boeing.

"It's so exciting to be here. To bring this show that did so extraordinary well at the Old Vic in London. To bring this cast of six remarkable actors that people may not know them now, but I think they will in a few weeks," says Kevin Spacey, who heads the Old Vic before the show opened. A look at the opening night reviews suggests that Mr. Spacey may have been to cautious in his prediction. This ensemble of actors are the overnight sensation on Broadway.

After the performance, at the opening night party. The stars of the revival gathered to celebrate what was truly an exceptional night and share in the glow of the positive reviews.

"Amazing. It was one of the best nights of my life. It was an awesome show. The audience were phenomenal. It was a real high point of our entire time here, so far. It was just the best. I loved it," says Ben Miles, who plays Tom in the production.

"It was a bit of a blur," confesses Norman Conquests' star Stephen Magnon, before reflecting "Any actor in the world would want to play on Broadway, and I've done it tonight. So, I'm absolutely beside myself."

"It's been most extraordinary and wonderful experience," happily shares star Paul Ritter, "Yes, this is my Broadway opening."

"Here you can actually hear what the audience are thinking, because they tell you. They gasp. They 'ooh.' They 'ahh.'. They scream. They laugh. They cry. Audibly," observes Mr. Magnon, when comparing the UK audience to the Broadway crowds.

"Basically the energy you feed off from the audience it's always going to contribute to your energy onstage," says Jessica Hynes, thinking about the successful opening night.

"Opening nights can sometimes be artificial because everyone there has a kind of vested interest. It's friends, its family, its investors, it's people involved in the production... but I thought tonight was a real genuine response to the play," considers Kevin Spacey. Like a proud father, Mr. Spacey has brought a comedy to Broadway which has evoked multiple comparison to the works of Anton Chekhov. His dedication to serving Alan Ayckbourn’s play well has paid off.

"It's one weekend. That's what it is," says Amanda Root, succinctly summing up the three plays, "It's a catastrophic weekend for everybody. There's three plays, just basically in different rooms."

"I think this show will make people laugh their socks off, and I think it will make you cry as well. I think there's depth in it," offers Ms. Root. Audiences and all the Broadway critics' agree. The most extra-ordinary event on Broadway is a comedy that can last for three nights or 7 hours if you see all three shows. Could there be a more appropriate show for this year on Broadway?

See the entire opening night video coverage of The Norman Conquests including interviews and video Broadway clips from the show, right here on Broadway.tv.