The Norman Conquests
The trilogy presents a comically fraught weekend from three different perspectives, as family and in-laws gather at the decaying country house of their bedridden mother; the drink flows, and hidden enmities, intimate secrets, and uncomfortable truths emerge through the veneer of jollity and civility.
- 1977-1977
- 1 season
- PBS
- Comedy
The trilogy presents a comically fraught weekend from three different perspectives, as family and in-laws gather at the decaying country house of their bedridden mother; the drink flows, and hidden enmities, intimate secrets, and uncomfortable truths emerge through the veneer of jollity and civility.
Season 1 Episode Guide
3 Episodes 1977
Episode 1
Table Manners
Wed, Jun 14, 1978 120 mins
Three plays by Alan Ayckbourn, interwoven in plot and time, giving different views of the same weekend. The action takes place in the family home, now occupied by Annie. Norman tries to bring a little happiness to his wife, Ruth, his sister-in-law, Annie, and their sister-in-law, Sarah.
Episode 2
Living Together
Wed, Jun 21, 1978 93 mins
In Annie's living room. Upstairs is her demanding, invalid mother. Annie's chatty brother Reg and his obsessive wife Sarah arrive to give Annie the weekend off, little knowing that she's arranged an assignation in East Grinsted with Norman, the husband of Ruth (Reg and Annie's successful sister). The plans go awry when Norman's caught lurking outside, and he stays for the weekend, trying for a grope here and there with Annie. Ruth also arrives unexpectedly, so Norman flirts with her as well, while Sarah tries vainly to keep things organized, and the dim veterinarian neighbor Tom comes by to see Annie. As people pass in and out of the sitting room, Norman even makes a pass at Sarah.
Episode 3
Round and Round the Garden
Wed, Jun 28, 1978 120 mins
In Annie's garden on a weekend she is supposed to go off for a secret tryst with her brother-in-law, Norman. Annie's gotten tired of waiting for dim veterinarian neighbor, Tom, to sweep her off her feet. Her brother Reg and wife Sarah arrive to care for Annie and Reg's mum, so Annie can leave. Norman shows up, hiding in the bushes, and before he can signal Annie, he's spotted and has to pretend he's come to visit. Tom pops round for food, and Norman's wife, the cool and tough Ruth, comes to visit mum. In the garden, Norman tries to spirit Annie away, Reg and Tom speculate on who Norman's got as his "bit on the side," and Ruth sunbathes. Will peace ever return to the garden?