Actors’ NET teaches and entertains with the second installment in its ‘Four Kings’ series.
By: Stuart Duncan
As the second play in its "Four Kings" series, Actors’ NET of Bucks County has picked James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter for its stage in Morrisville, Pa. What a brilliant choice a work that holds history up to a mirror and, on reflection, teaches, entertains and leaves us in breathless admiration.
The action takes place during the reign of Henry II of England. We are at his castle in Chinon, France, and it is Christmas 1183. The king has just turned 50, and it is time to think of a successor.
Henry’s Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is there, estranged and imprisoned but fully prepared to fight for what she believes. Henry’s three sons are in residence as well. The eldest, Richard (the Lionhearted), is favored by his mother but known by his father to have been slightly "bent," especially by Philip, King of France, who incidentally is there as well. The middle son, Geoffrey, is mostly overlooked but still a pillar of mediocrity.
Let’s not forget John, the youngest son, childish, impulsive and poutish. He apparently has his father’s approval, but history will show that in 1215, on the field at Runnymede, he will be forced by the nobles of the kingdom to sign the Magna Carta. Also at the castle for the holiday is a young French princess, Alais, with whom the King is mightily smitten.
Playwright Goldman has written a medieval Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?; the barbs come like chess moves or dagger strokes. Alliances, political and sexual, merge and break amid skillful maneuvering. All the players are experts, at least all of the principal players the sons are conspicuously lacking in technique; battles are quickly joined, decided and then, just as abruptly, forgotten.
Henry sets the tone early when he muses: "What shall we hang the holly or each other?" If a son breaks in, Eleanor easily squelches him with: "Hush, dear, Mother’s fighting."
Every thrust is parried with brutal wit. When young Johnny explodes, "My God, if I went up in flames, there’s not a living soul who’d pee on me to put them out," his older brother merely muses: "Let’s strike a flint and see."
The Actors’ NET cast is stunning. We have come to expect brilliance from George Hartpence, here playing Henry with his customary sly grins, devastating verbal tricks and agility. Cheryl Doyle, as Eleanor, has her best role in years and belts it beyond the far walls, never imitating either Rosemary Harris (who won the Tony on Broadway in the role) or Katharine Hepburn (ditto, in Hollywood with the Oscar). Just listen to her massage a line such as, "Of course I have a knife. We all have knives. It’s 1183 and we are barbarians." She establishes her own standards.
Cat Miller is a charmer as the French princess, subtle yet coy, innocent yet worldly. Lawrence Guest is a deliciously obtuse John. Steve Lobis and George Reilly bring stature to the underdeveloped roles of Geoffrey and Richard. And Todd Reichart finds true regality as Philip, although the role itself seems insipid.
Director Joe Doyle has paced the evening beautifully, the flow casual and comfortable. Special attention clearly has been given to the language. The "Four Kings" series will continue with King Lear and then Camelot. Expect full houses at the intimate Heritage Center theater and book well ahead.
The Lion in Winter plays at the Heritage Center, 635 N. Delmorr Ave., Morrisville, Pa., through March 10. Performances: Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 6 p.m. Tickets cost $10. For information, call (215) 428-0217. On the Web: hometown.aol.com/actorsnet