Norman Conquests, the (Classic Radio Theatre)

Three edgy comedies give us three views, during one weekend, of a dysfunctional family at an English country house as Norman, a lighthearted but incorrigible seducer, sows chaos. As is typical of Ayckbourn, the humor is often dark or uncomfortable, with scenes evolving from tension into overt drama. The thoroughly professional cast delivers the humor with grace and the drama with power. The characters are flawed, at times even unpleasant and a bit exaggerated, but the strong performances help keep them both sympathetic and realistically human. In the rapid interplay, a few words are sometimes lost, and occasionally sisters-in-law Ruth and Sarah sound too much alike, a problem for audio. But this is a top-notch production of three amusing, if at times discomforting, plays. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine


L.A. Theatre Works has again hit the jackpot with this delightful audio presentation of Alan Ayckbourn's celebrated trilogy. THE NORMAN CONQUESTS is not one play but three comical pieces depicting the same six characters in one house over one crazy weekend. The presentation is well paced and appropriately energetic. The cast, led by Rosalind Ayres and Martin Jarvis, also features Jane Leeves (from TV's "Frasier"), Kenneth Danziger, Christopher Neame, and Carolyn Seymour. Each actor fully develops his or her character in a most consistent way. Incidental music and sound effects add to the excellence of this production. Playwright and actors make these characters so interesting and funny that the audio presentation seems to fly by. M.R.E. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine