In the "explosively hilarious" (London's Guardian) third installment of Alan Ayckbourn's acclaimed trilogy The Norman Conquests, librarian Norman, to whom family members refer as a "badly built haystack," channels his inner Casanova in fervent attempts to seduce his two sisters-in-law, as well as his estranged wife, during a weekend family gathering. In this sex farce full of unfulfilled desire, Tony Award–winning director John Rando (Urinetown, the Musical) allows us a satisfying voyeuristic gaze into Ayckbourn's "gleefully torrid little world" (Entertainment Weekly).
"An old-fashioned sex farce . . . high hilarity in the hands of an expert ensemble." —San Francisco Chronicle
"A touch of slapstick . . . An extremely delightful evening of theatrical fun . . . this romp will keep you laughing from start to finish." —KGO Radio
"With a dream ensemble, John Rando's detailed direction and Ralph Funicello's exquisite English-garden set, the cream puff of a show is a pure delight." —San Francisco Examiner
"Left me helpless with hilarity"
—Daily Telegraph
"Uproarious! Hilarious and heartbreaking" —Variety
"Damned funny" —TIME
"Wildly boisterous" —Bloomberg.com
"Ayckbourn's dialogue crackles." —Associated Press
Prologue*
May 4, 5:30 p.m.
Get inside the artistic process—come early for a preperformance discussion with the director and a member of the A.C.T. artistic staff.
Theater on the Couch*
May 7, 8 p.m.
Join members of the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis for an exciting postperformance discussion that explores the psychological aspects of the show and addresses audience questions.
Audience Exchanges*
May 11, 7 p.m.
May 16, 2 p.m.
May 19, 2 p.m.
After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors, moderated by a member of the A.C.T. artistic staff.
OUT with A.C.T.
May 12, 8 p.m.
LGBT night at A.C.T. features a catered afterparty and a cast meet and greet. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for more information about how to subscribe to OUT nights.
*Discussions are free for ticket holders. Please note that performance times vary.
Insight into the Play, the Playwright, and the Production
Each entertaining and informative issue of Words on Plays, A.C.T.'s in-depth performance guide series, contains a synopsis, advance program notes, study questions, and additional background information about the historical and cultural context of the play.
Words on Plays is available for purchase in the lobby of the theater during performances or online ($12 each + postage and handling). To subscribe to the full season ($70), call 415.749.2250.
Words on Plays Prepared by
Elizabeth Brodersen, Publications Editor
Dan Rubin, Publications & Literary Associate
Michael Paller, Resident Dramaturg
Katie May, Publications Intern
Ellen Cassidy, Dramaturgy Intern
Table of Contents
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Production Photos
Click to view larger images from Round and Round the Garden. All photographs by Kevin Berne.
On the A.C.T. Blog
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
In the Know
posted by Katie May, A.C.T. Publications & Literary Intern
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Just Like a Dog
posted by Manoel Felciano, cast member of Round and Round the Garden
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mastering Uncertainty
posted by Carey Perloff, A.C.T. Artistic Director
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