Workshop Theatre presents Table Manners
"Welcome to the table for a heaping helping of dysfunctional family fun!"

As Norman (George Dinsmore, center) makes a play for his sister- in- law Annie (Sarah Degn, second from left), friends and neighbors express their shock in a rehearsal scene from Workshop Theatre's production of the Alan Ayckbourn comedy Table Manners. Also (l- r)are Josh Bennett as Annie's neighbor and potential suitor, Tom; Tiffany Dinsmore as Annie's socially correct sister- in- law, Sarah; and Scott Means as Annie's long- suffering brother, Reg.

With the increasing popularity of the BBC America cable/satellite channel, not to mention the Saturday night "Britcom" block on our local PBS station, the time is right for Workshop to serve up its own version of classic British humor. To that end, Alan Ayckbourn's Table Manners should prove to be a feast for the funny bone.

Written in the early 1970s as part of a trilogy called The Norman Conquests, Table Manners is one of several works in which Ayckbourn deliciously skewers the manners and mores of the British suburban middle class. It is also considered the funniest of the plays in The Norman Conquests trilogy, each of which takes place in a different room of the same house during a weekend in which Norman Dewars tries to lure his wife's sister, Annie, away on an illicit weekend.

Norman is on the cusp of a midlife crisis and Annie ambivalently agrees to his scheme because the only other man in her life, neighbor and local vet Tom, just doesn't seem to be able to express his true feelings for her. She's also tasked with looking after her invalid mother and desperately needs a break.

Annie's brother, Reg, and his wife, Sarah, come to care for Mother. Wheedling, bossy Sarah, who already detests Norman, soon discovers Annie's plans and a disappointed, drunk Norman sings loudly about love from the adjoining room while the rest of the family attempts to have a quiet supper. Sarah summons Norman's wife, Ruth, to clean up his mess, as no one else is speaking to him.

In Act II, Sarah attempts get the family to have just one happy meal together, and Norman, seeing an opportunity to use his charms on another female in the family, agrees to help. Soon Sarah and Ruth are sniping over the virtues of being a career woman vs. a stay- at- home mother, Norman speaks his mind to Ruth about their marriage, and Tom, thinking Norman is insulting Annie, decks Norman as the evening collapses in comic chaos.

The show is directed by Glenn Farr. While a new director to Workshop, he is known to local audiences for performances in British comedies and dramas on several Midlands stages.

The cast of actors also new to Workshop, including George Dinsmore as Norman; Sarah Degn as Annie; Tiffany Dinsmore as Sarah; Scott Means as Reg; and Josh Bennett as Tom. Workshop veteran Allison Manley appears as Ruth.

Performances will be at 8 pm October 31, November 1, 5- 8, 12- 15, and 3 pm, November 9.

Ticket Prices are: Adults $18, Seniors/Active Military $15, Students $12. Tickets go on sale October 27.

For reservations call 799-6551 or visit www.workshoptheatre.com