If you think your family has problems, then you should check out the royal family in The Lion In Winter. The University of Lethbridge presents the 1966 James Goldman historical play, Nov. 20-24 in the University Theatre. It surrounds the adventures of King Henry II of England and his family in 1183 as he must decide which of his sons inherits the throne.
“ It takes place over a 12 year period. It’s a very dysfunctional family,” described director Philip Adams, who came to Lethbridge from Saskatoon to direct the production. Adams won Saskatoon’s Best Director Award in 2012. A bit of a nomad, he has been the artistic director of Nakai Theatre in the Yukon and Mulgrave Road Theatre in Nova Scotia and has directed productions across the country.
The play is about a really dysfunctional Christmas.
It is set in the stark hollows of Castle Chinon as the dramatic tensions between members of King Henry II’s family take centre stage. The company includes Henry’s quarrelling and conniving sons who are intent on claiming the throne; his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, allowed a reprieve from her 10-year imprisonment to join the festivities; and Henry’s young mistress, Alais, who is also betrothed to his son Richard. As the party commences, the scandals of this dysfunctional dynasty explode, revealing shocking truths of betrayal, deceit and treachery.
“ It’s about him dividing up his kingdom, it’s about succession. And it takes place in 1183, before English common law. He wrote the laws of inheritance,” Adams summarized.
“It’s about equality, fairness and good government. He’d rather negotiate than go to war,” Adams continued.
Adams was drawn to the play because it is so well written. There is not only a lot of drama, but comedy as well plus a plethora of plot twists and turns.
“It’s a very well written play. It’s very clever,” he continued. He emphasized how much he is enjoying working with the cast.
“They are the most professional group of young actors I’ve ever worked with. They are so committed to this play. They are so disciplined. There is no cavorting and no cell phones,” he enthused.
While it was made into a 1968 film starring Peter O’Toole and Katherine Hepburn, Adams was more familiar with the play.
“The characters change their minds three or four times a page,” he said.
The seven member cast includes DJ Gellatly as King Henry, Makambe K Simamba as Henry’s estranged and imprisoned wife Eleanor, plus Craig McCue (playing Geoffrey), Andrew Merrigan (playing Philip); Colin Dingwall (John); Cameron Lomon (Richard) and Meredith Pritchard (Alais).
The play features a set designed by Adams’ long time friend Jim Wills and period costumes designed by Leslie Robison-Greene.
“It’s very dynamic,” said DJ Gellatly, who plays King Henry.
“There is lots of lying and deception,” he continued adding because the characters are continually changing their minds and deceiving the others, it can be challenging as they are multi-layered.
“So that can be difficult to play through all those layers,” he said.
“It’s a really well written play,” he emphasized.
Makambe K Simamba, who plays Eleanor, Henry’s wife who was released from prison for Christmas, is enjoying the depth of her character.
“It’s a meaty role and there aren’t a lot of meaty female roles, ” she said. She said she is enjoying the exploration of the rules these characters live by and what it means to break them.
“This is definitely my biggest role,” Gellatly added.
“There is so much to explore,” he continued.
“It is one thing to explore these characters, but it is another thing to show these characters (in front of an audience),” he continued.
Though it is a drama, there is also a lot of humour in the play.
“I’m most excited to bring this play to life,” Simamba said.
“It is going to be exciting and the humour in the play is important,” she said.
“It needs an audience. All theatre needs an audience,” Adams said.
“That’s the final piece of the show, so I’m looking forward to having the audience there,” he continued.
Tickets are available at the University Box Office, Monday – Friday 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm, or call (403) 329-2616. Individual tickets are $15 regular, $10 seniors/students. Regular tickets are also available online, www.uleth.ca/tickets. It runs at 8 p.m. each night.
