July 1998 One of Ayckbourn’s trilogy collectively known as ‘The Norman Conquests’ (along with Table Manners and Living Together), in which the appallingly dissolute Norman wreaks havoc among the relationships of his friends.
Sarah’s desperate attempts to have a nice, civilised weekend culminate, not surprisingly, in disaster. Ruth, Norman's wife, is summoned but Norman still contrives to cause havoc involving, finally, all three women. Matters are not helped by the slow-thinking Tom mistaking Ruth’s intentions. Eventually, the horrific weekend draws to a close. The four visitors depart, but even at the last moment Norman manages, deliberately or not, to wreck their plans by driving his car into Reg’s. Back they all troop, now facing having to stay. Norman finds himself spurned by all three women and is left protesting with injured innocence that he only meant to make everyone happy.