- The Lion in Winter
"The Lion in Winter" is a
1966 Broadway play byJames Goldman , who also cinematically adapted it in1968 for the film directed byAnthony Harvey and a2003 film byAndrei Konchalovsky .Production history
Original Broadway production
The play's premier was in the Ambassador Theatre,
New York City on3 March ,1966 , directed byNoel Willman featuringRosemary Harris as Queen Eleanor and Robert Preston as King Henry II,James Rado as Richard the Lionhearted andChristopher Walken as his lover, King Philip of France. The production was nominated for twoTony Awards and Rosemary Harris was awarded the Best Actress prize. It had a run of 92 performances.Revival
The play was revived in March, 1999, at the
Criterion Center Stage Right , withStockard Channing as Queen Eleanor andLaurence Fishburne as King Henry II, directed by Michael Mayer. Channing was nominated for a best actress Tony prize, and the production ran for 93 performances.Film adaptations
:"Main article, see
The Lion in Winter (1968 film) "
*A film version was made in 1968 withPeter O'Toole as KingHenry II of England andKatharine Hepburn asEleanor of Aquitaine .The film was nominated for 7
Academy Awards , including Best Picture, Best Actor (Peter O'Toole), Best Director (Anthony Harvey ), and Best Costume Design. The film won three Academy Awards: Best Actress (Katharine Hepburn), Best Screenplay (James Goldman ), and Best Score (John Barry).:"Main article, see
The Lion in Winter (2003 film) "
*Another film version was made for television in 2003 withGlenn Close andPatrick Stewart and directed byAndrei Konchalovsky .ynopsis
"The Lion in Winter" occurs during
Christmas 1183 at HenryPlantagenet 's château and primary residence inChinon ,Anjou , within theAngevin Empire of medievalFrance . The play opens with the arrival of his wifeEleanor of Aquitaine from prison; the story immediately centres on the personality conflicts and shifting alliances among the estranged couple and their adult sons and heirs to the throne: PrinceRichard the Lionheart (1157-1199, the future KingRichard I of England 1189-1199), PrinceGeoffrey, Duke of Brittany (1158-1186), and Prince John (1166-1216, the future KingJohn of England 1199-1216).Also in the château, pursuing their own intrigues with the royal family are King
Philip II of France , the son of Eleanor's ex-husband, and Philip II's half-sister Alais, a daughter of Louis VII. Alais was betrothed to Richard I, but is Henry II's mistress; in reality, Henry had many mistresses and bastards. The "Rosamund" mentioned in the film was Henry II's mistress until she died."The Lion in Winter" is fictional: there was no Christmas Court at Chinon in 1183; there was a Christmas court at
Caen in 1182; none of the dialogue and action is historic, though the outcomes of the characters and the background are historically accurate. The article on theRevolt of 1173-1174 describes the historical events leading to the play's events.Characters
Henry II, King of England
(Male, 50+) In his time, at fifty, men were either old or dead. Yet Henry is still very nearly as he ever was.
Queen Eleanor
(Female, 50+) 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.
John
(Male, Late Teens) He is the youngest son of Henry and Eleanor and charming with a sweet face and boyish outlook on his position. Many in the play describe him as a spoiled brat.
Geoffrey
(Male, Mid 20's) He is a son of Henry and Eleanor and a man of energy and action. He is attractive, charming and the "brain" of the family.
Richard the Lionhearted
(Male, Mid 20's) Currently 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. Philip Capet makes a very pointed reference to Richard's homosexuality during a discussion in his chambers.
Alais Capet
(Female, Early 20's) She is serenely beautiful and in love with Henry. Everyone underestimates her intellect and power.
Philip Capet, King of France
(Male, Early 20's) He has been King of France for three years. His manner is open, direct and simple. He is impressive and handsome without being pretty.
ee also
*
Henry II of England
*Eleanor of Aquitaine
*Revolt of 1173-1174
*Middle Ages in film External links
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