Auditions -- The Lion In Winter

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010


	DATE:	JUNE 13TH & 14TH, 2010
	TIME:	7:00 PM
	PLACE:	OYSTER MILL PLAYHOUSE
	DIRECTOR:	MICHAEL SWANSON


	The cast for THE LION IN WINTER includes 5 men and 2 women. The action takes place in King Henry II's castle at Chinon, in France, in 1183, at Christmas time. No dialects are required or desired; this is American play, and the lines are not written for British speakers. All ages in the character descriptions are "playing ages."

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A ROYAL COMEDY BY JAMES GOLDMAN

PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

King Henry II of England has three sons by his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. He wants the kingdom to stay united after his death, but all three sons want to rule, and it is likely to be torn apart by revolution. Henry favors the youngest, John, while Eleanor favors the eldest, Richard. Middle son Geoffrey hopes to play both ends against each other and come out on top. Henry would like to have another heir by his mistress Alais, but that would only add to the confusion. And when he invites Eleanor to his Christmas court in 1183, he finds that he and his wife still feel some passion for each other, in that emotional place where passion encompasses both love and hate. Uneasy is the head on which the crown lies, and uneasy the truce between a matchless king and queen. This play was the basis of the Oscar-winning film, which starred Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. "A work of intelligence, astringent wit, and much theatrical skill." - The New York Times

Henry II, King of England: In his time, at fifty, men were either old or dead. Yet Henry is still very nearly as he ever was. His manipulations of family and others are spontaneous and emotional as opposed to the well-thought out stratagems of Eleanor, and the cold, calculating machinations of Geoffrey. This leaves his character being somewhat likeable, despite his many shortcomings. And his emotional connections to Eleanor are stronger than he knows. (Age: 50)

Queen Eleanor: Eleanor is the wife of Henry and a beautiful woman of great temperament, authority and presence. She has been a queen for nearly 46 years and while possessing feminine qualities, she is thoroughly capable of holding her own in a man's world. She schemes against Henry and intensely loves him at the same time. She has contempt for the children (although her favorite is Richard), but is not willing to see them harmed by Henry. (Age: 61)

John: He is the youngest son of Henry and Eleanor, sulky and sullen, and many in the play describe him as a spoiled brat. He is pimply, and smells of compost. He is Henry's favorite, but also the weakest. He constantly vacillates throughout the play - usually not out of cleverness, but out of fear. He is easily tricked and manipulated by Geoffrey. (Age: 17)

Geoffrey: He is a son of Henry and Eleanor, and a man of energy and action. He is attractive, charming and the "brains" of the family. Geoffrey is portrayed as coldly scheming with no personal warmth. His view of himself is of one who yearned greatly for the love of his parents while receiving none. (Age: 25)

Richard the Lionheart: The eldest son of Henry and Eleanor, he is handsome, graceful and impressive. He has been a famous soldier since his middle teens. War is his profession and he is good at it; he is easily the strongest and toughest of the three princes. He has a very problematic love / hate relationship with his mother. He has secrets from her, as well as from everyone else. He is also a ticking time bomb. (Age: 26)

Alais Capet: She is beautiful and in love with Henry. Because she seems innocent, everyone underestimates her intellect, power, and ultimate ruthlessness. (Age: 23)

Philip Capet, King of France: He has been King of France for three years. He is not initially as accomplished as Henry in manipulating people, but acquires greater skills at this by keenly observing what happens around him. He is impressive and handsome without being pretty. (Age: 18)

Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows are at 8:00 PM
Sunday matinees are at 2:00 PM
Private Performances: August 22, 24, 26 and 31 (Times TBD)

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Scripts may be available before the auditions.
If you would like your own copy, you can buy one from Samuel French, Inc.