British playwright Alan Ayckbourn has a penchant for complex theatrical architecture in constructing his plays, which are mostly innovative domestic comedies. The Norman Conquests, now at Circle in the Square on Broadway, is one of his boldest experiments: three separate plays, each a viable entity in itself, with the same characters, covering the same time span, in three settings at a Victorian estate. If we want to know what happens to characters as they leave the garden in the first one I saw, "Round and Round the Garden," we can come back and see the indoor scenes that took place in "Living Together" and "Table Manners," but each stands alone, and if you only see one, you've had a complete, satisfying play.
Matthew Warchus brilliantly directs the six-member English cast, and they are all excellent, each clearly defined, each a unique figure frustrated by life. Norman, the title character, played by a repellant/attractive Stephen Mangan, married to the flexibly exuberant but distant Ruth (Amelia Bullmore), seductively trolls for romance outside of his marriage with his sisters-in-law, the long-suffering Annie (Jessica Hynes) and the feisty Sarah (Amanda Root).
The male counterparts, dim, stalwart Tom (Ben Miles) and the distracted, inept Reg (Paul Ritter) are great contrasts to the wild Norman.
It's all full of English folderol and romantic mischief, and the secret knowledge of interactions in the other plays makes each succeeding episode extra fun. Settings by Rob Howell are nicely revelatory of the land and interiors, and costumes perfectly show inner character of each in this marvelous ensemble, well lighted by David Howe.
Comedy meister Warchus directs with a sure hand, and all the complex physical business and verbal thrusts work seamlessly to create a superior comedic experience.
