The Lion in Winter
Written by James Goldman
Directed by Margaret Baird
1 – 4 December 1971
Sibling rivalry, adultery and dungeons – Lion in Winter, by James Goldman, is a modern day classic. Comedic in tone, dramatic in action – the play tells the story of the Plantagenet family who are locked in a free for all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom. The queen, and wealthiest woman in the world, Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been kept in prison since raising an army against her husband, King Henry II. Let out only for holidays, the play centers around the inner conflicts of the royal family as they fight over both a kingdom, as well as King Henry’s paramour during the Christmas of 1183. As Eleanor says, “every family has its ups and downs,” and this royal family is no exception.
Cast
Henry II – Phillip Fasham
Alais Capet – Ainslie Pennell
John – Peter Leggett
Geoffrey – Colin Bailey
Richard Lionheart – Bill Sadler
Eleanor Duchess of Aquitaine – Mary Clayton
Philip – David Francis
Crew
Stage Manager – Mike Fryatt
Assistant Stage Manager – Kathy Clark
Properties – Sheila Fryatt and Sylvia Foster
Lighting – Jean Bennett
Settings – Theatre Workshop
Wardrobe – Joan Robarts
Sound – Len Huntley