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Firelight Trio at Birnam Arts
Fri 8 Nov
Firelight Trio
19:30 - 22:00
Doors Open 18:00

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BIPS Table Manners

Alan Ayckbourn’s Table Manners

Part of Alan Ayckbourn’s Table Manners

6 September 2024

Annie is off for an illicit weekend... until sister-in-law, Sarah, finds out that their mutual brother-in-law, Norman, is Annie’s partner!

As various relations – and a less-than-dynamic neighbour - turn up, we are party to exactly how much can go wrong in dysfunctional family get-togethers, as tempers fray, blood pressures rise… and libidos ignite!

The result is an hilarious dinner party, sliding into disaster!

Multi-award-winning Table Manners is at times wildly comic, at times poignant, and always full of laughter.

One of the widely acclaimed Norman Conquests trilogy of plays from the Maestro of Sitcom, Alan Ayckbourn, they follow the amorous exploits of Norman, assistant librarian, whose one aim is to make the women of his life 'happy'.

First performed in the round in Scarborough in 1973, BIPs will be following the writer’s direction, taking the production onto the floor to get up-close-and-personal with the audience!

 

The Norman Conquests – “a brilliant comic trilogy”

Each play is complete in itself but written to jigsaw together. Set in separate rooms of a country home during the same weekend: the dining room (Table Manners), the living room (Living Together), and the garden (Round and Round the Garden), they have often been performed together featuring the same six cast. Scenes overlap, and a character's exit from one play can correspond with their entrance in another.

Adapted for television in 1977, The Norman Conquests featured Penelope Keith, Tom Conti, Penelope Wilton, Richard Briers, David Troughton and Fiona Walker.

 

 

Part of Alan Ayckbourn’s Table Manners

 Festival Info   >

Sir Alan Ayckbourn – has long been one of Britain’s most popular – and prolific – playwrights (currently 90 plays and farces) besides breaking the record for the most productions running simultaneously in the West End and on Broadway.

Since his earliest days, Ayckbourn’s plays have rarely been off the stage. There is much – though inconclusive - speculation as to whether he or Shakespeare is more performed in the UK in any given year. Awarded a CBE in 1987 and a knighthood in 1997, he has also earned the Olivier and Tony Special Lifetime Achievement Awards, the first British playwright to do so. At 85, he is still active at his typewriter today.

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Map showing Birnam Arts and conference centre in Scotland

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Birnam Arts
Station Road
Birnam Dunkeld
PH8 0DS
admin@birnamarts.com
Tel: 01350 727 674

Entrance

Welcome to Birnam Arts, a boutique multi-purpose arts, conferencing and entertainment venue.

Highlights

Pop in to the Foyer Cafe for breakfast, grab a delicious coffee with a selection of our homemade baking or enjoy a light lunch whilst browsing on the free WiFi. Wander upstairs to view the latest of our monthly art exhibitions before visiting the world of Beatrix Potter, or the Gift Shop to purchase a special gift for your loved ones or yourself!

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We’ve always enjoyed Birnam Arts and all it has to offer - lovely venue, library and classes and a great friendly cafe.

Donella Kirkland   |   Crowdfunder #savebirnamarts 2020

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