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The Lion in Winter
By James Goldman
Directed by Rick Snyder
At Writers’ Theatre
325 Tudor Court
Glencoe, IL
Call 847-242-6000, tickets $40
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 7:30 pm
Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 4 & 8 pm
Sundays at 2 & 6 pm
Wednesday matinees at 2 pm June 11, July 9 & 23
Running time is 2 hours, 40 minutes with intermission
Through August 10, 2008
The Lion in Winter is a sassy war of words, wit and love
Writers’ Theatre’s outstanding production of James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter” is his fictional take on the events of 1183 as Henry II, King of England celebrates Christmas in his palace at Chinon, France. He has his three sons, King Philip of France and his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine at his side as he plots to establish who’ll reign upon his death. Real-life husband/wife team Michael Canavan and Shannon Chochran play Henry and Eleanor. They lead the power struggle as each character maneuvers for support for their personal agenda. Goldman’s wordy, witty and wickedly stinging drama unfolds as an articulate study of language, political posturing and the search for love.
The family dynamic: Henry is the aging king—who must decide which of his three sons will succeed him. He fears and relishes the gamesmanship of his estranged (and imprisoned) wife Eleanor. She is his equal in political intrigue and verbosity. Alais Capet (Laura Coover) is Henry’s young mistress and sister of King Philip of France (Michael Fagin). Henry has sexual and political interests in Alais. Of the Plantagenet sons—Richard, the Lion (Lea Coco) is the strongest warrior and Eleanor’s favorite son; Geoffrey (Christopher McLinden) is the smartest and shrewdest while John is the youngest cowardly and slow-witted son—he is Henry’s favorite. This most dysfunctional medieval royal family survives court intrigue and political pressure through wit and guile. Henry and Eleanor are the supreme game players whose sharp minds and vile tongues offer fine word play as they play psychological mind games. Through smartly crafted plots twists and verbal jousting, “The Lion in Winter” unfolds as a fantasy play based on actual historical people and events. More than political agendas are at stake here. Being loved, being denied love and establishing one’s place in the family are underlying motives. The play is “About human beings fighting the world, and each other, for control over a destiny that they ultimately cannot control,” states director Rick Snyder.
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The power of love and hate; of gamesmanship and verbal wit are eagerly enjoyed by this family. They all feast on revenge, the infliction of psychological pain, and the winning moments of joy when one person wins a skirmish . This ultimate family gathering boasts bitingly funny drollness and nasty word play played out to maximize love or hate as each devise their next move in the game of family.
This is a wonderful written script expertly performed by a superb cast of “A” list Equity actors. Michael Canavan and his wife Shannon Cochran produce a marvelous spark that carries the play. Robert Belushi, Christopher McLinden and Lea Coco are the brooding sons—each turned in terrific performances. Laura Coover was extremely effective as the beautiful mistress Alais. Michael Fagin, as King Philip portrayed machismo as the youthful monarch. A wonderful script (with modern resonance) played by polished actors is Writers’ Theatre’s formula. Director Rick Snyder production has a visceral, earthy and truthful tone. Don’t miss this play.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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