You would think that seven hours of theater would be too much to tolerate but if the reviews are to be believed, it’s not enough.

CB and I saw The Norman Conquests at the Circle in the Square on Broadway. It’s an Old Vic comedy from London. It comprises three interlocking plays; Table Manners, Living Together and Round and Round the Garden. They can be seen in any order as a trilogy. Each play is also a self-contained story that can be viewed individually. HOW CLEVER IS THAT?

It’s British author Alan Ayckbourn’s take on a contemporary rake (Norman) who tries his damnedest to bed three sisters. It matters not a whit that two are his sisters-in-law. We saw Round and Round the Garden and it was gut-busting funny from start to finish. AGAIN with the British authors! Wha?! Is it in the water? Something to do with the Thames?

I’d love to see the other two parts of the trilogy but there are so many other great shows to see that I’m not sure I’ll get around to it. The 2008-09 theater season in New York has been extraordinary. This is going to be remembered as a golden age for plays. Not musicals. Plays. (Although the revivals of Hair and West Side Story are suppose to be great. CB loved Hair and, unlike me, he has standards, so that’s saying something.)

It’s been one great show opening after another. The writing has never been stronger and you can see big celebs with top-notch acting chops on stage, which is always a treat. Jane Fonda, David Hyde Pierce, Allison Janney, James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Geoffrey Rush, Brian Dennehy, Marcia Gay Harden, Jeff Daniels, Angela Lansbury, Rupert Everett, Cynthia Nixon and many others are currently tripping the lights. C’mon down!