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http://www.dcmdva-arts.org
"THE LION IN WINTER"
Round House Theatre
Silver Spring, MD (301) 933-1644
November 11-December 6; extended to December 13
reviewed by David Sobelsohn
The Royal Family
Separated from his wife, Henry (Jerry Whiddon) lives with his girlfriend Alais (Maia
DeSanti), whom he talks about marrying. Henry and estranged wife Eleanor (Tana Hicken)
quarrel about the children and taunt each other with their respective infidelities. In the
next breath, like any married couple, they fall into each other's arms and reminisce about
the day they first met. The children vigorously compete for their parents' affections:
Henry favors the youngest, John (Dwayne Nitz), and Eleanor the eldest,
Richard (Kyle Prue), causing middle son Geoffrey (Drew Kahl) to complain of his parents'
indifference. Amidst the turbulence, Eleanor reflects: "Well, what family doesn't
have its ups and downs?"
Except this family is the stuff of legend. Eleanor is Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who
during an extraordinarily long life will amass more power than any woman since the Empress
Theodora. Henry is King Henry II of England. Great-grandson of William the Conqueror,
youthful friend and deadly enemy of St. Thomas Becket, Henry rules the greatest empire
since Charlemagne. Son Richard's bravery has already earned him the nickname
"Lionheart." Son John as king will sign Magna Carta, the foundation of
Anglo-American liberty. Richard and John will both appear as reigning monarchs in the
story of Robin Hood.
Part of the fun watching "The Lion in Winter," on stage at Round House Theatre
through December 13, comes from seeing these giants of English history interact like
members of any family. And part of the fun comes from hearing their witty, decidedly
modern dialogue, sometimes spoken from a 20th-century perspective ("Of course he has
a knife. We all have knives. It is 1183 and we're barbarians."). We understand these
people. The plot resembles an endless chess game with multiple players, a metaphor
playwright James Goldman never lets us forget. Threats fly, alliances form, promises prove
false as each son jockeys to succeed Henry, or, if necessary, unseat him. Meanwhile,
France's clever young King Philip (John Benoit)--his sister Alais is Henry's
mistress--bides his time until Henry can no longer defend lands conquered from Alais and
Philip's father.
The Round House has mounted a handsome, engaging production. Director Donald Hicken has
coaxed solid performances from his cast, especially his wife Tana. Tana Hicken lets you
know Eleanor has been a queen of international importance for 46 years: her authority and
presence more than match Jerry Whiddon's. Yet Hicken also shows Eleanor's tartness,
coyness, even her weariness. Drew Kahl exudes deviousness as Geoffrey, the family's
supreme manipulator. Kyle Prue makes a sullen and combative
if unsubtle Richard, and Dwayne Nitz brings bratty petulance to the difficult role of
John. John Benoit has never done better: his Philip has slyness and reserve. Maia DeSanti
is a pouty yet feisty Alais. Dan
Conway's meticulous set fits the period perfectly, showing off the castle's simple, quiet
beauty.
Goldman's Henry predicts that his "life, when it is written, will read better than it
lived." "The Lion in Winter" reads well indeed. If you can't get to see the
Round House production, try reading the Penguin Books edition of the play.
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The Round House Theatre |
