Old Vic Remains Round After Norman Conquests???

It’s taken three weeks to transform the Old Vic’s historic proscenium arch auditorium into the special in-the-round configuration for Matthew Warchus’ upcoming revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s trilogy The Norman Conquests. And, while the way that Rob Howell (who won this year’s Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Designer for his work on The Lord of the Rings) has designed it means that it will only take one week to dismantle, bosses at the theatre are so pleased with the result, they may just keep it that way.

For awhile at least. The theatre has to return to normal for the transfer of Sam Mendes Bridge Project productions of The Cherry Orchard and The Winter’s Tale, starring Simon Russell Beale, Sinead Cusack and Hollywood’s Ethan Hawke and running at the Old Vic from May to August 2009 (See News, 30 May 2008).

However, until then, the in-the-round configuration may remain, though it will ultimately depend on the demands of interim programming, which has yet to be announced.

The three plays in The Norman Conquests run in rep from 6 October to 20 December 2008 (previews from 11 September). The trilogy is played out in three different areas of the house – Table Manners in the dining room, Living Together in the living room and Round and Round the Garden in the garden – with the action of each occurring simultaneously. Believing it his mission in life to make women happy by showering them with love, Norman makes the most of every opportunity during a disastrous weekend.

The Old Vic revival, the first since the trilogy’s 1974 London premiere, stars Stephen Mangan (as Norman), Amanda Root, Paul Ritter, Amelia Bullmore, Ben Miles and Jessica Hynes.

** DON’T MISS our Whatsonstage.com Outing to
THE NORMAN CONQUESTS (Table Manners) on 1 October 2008 – including a FREE programme & a FREE drink – all for £30! – click here to book now! **