Last of Norman

Press, 22 October 1980, Page 20

Last of Norman

In r “Round And Round ■ The ; ■ Garden,’, the,. ; final play of .. Alan- Ayckbourn’s trilogy of comedies from a different vantage point, it is Norman’s first, furtive appearance in the The Garden," the final how badly the week-end will turn out to be. Tom Conti plays the unrepentant Norman of “The Norman Conquests,” with Fiona Walker as Ruth, Penelope Keith as Sarah. Richard Briers as Reg. David Troughton as Tom. and Penelope Wilton as Annie. - "The Norman Conquests.” a Thames production, screens on Network One on Fridays.

Next week will begin “Days of Hope,” a fourpart dramatic series the years in-Great Britain between 1916 and 1926 each’seen through the eyes of two men and one woman living at the time. Ten vita! years in Britain’s recent history form the background of these four dramatic films, written by Jim Allen, directed by Ken Loach, and produced bv Tonv Garnett for the 8.8. C

The period, 1916 to 1926, was selected because there were such distinct landmarks at each end — conscription for the war in 1916 apd the General Strike in 1926. In between were the troubles in Ireland, the miners’ strikes, and lock-outs.

: Much of what happened in those years ; is happening again today — a serious crisis of ! capital, trade union militancy, and a threatened middle class.