Insecure siblings fighting for their parents’ attention; bickering spouses who can’t stand to be together or apart; adultery and sexual experimentation; even the struggle to balance work and family: These are themes as much at home in our time as they were in the twelfth century. In James Goldman’s classic play "The Lion in Winter, " domestic turmoil rises to an art form.
Keenly self-aware and motivated as much by spite as by any sense of duty, Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine maneuver against each other to position their favorite son in line for succession. By imagining the inner lives of Henry, Eleanor, and their sons, John, Geoffrey, and Richard, Goldman created the quintessential drama of family strife and competing ambitions, a work that gives visceral, modern-day relevance to the intrigues of Angevin England.
Combining keen historical and psychological insight with delicious, mordant wit, the stage play has become a touchstone of today’s theater scene, and Goldman’s screenplay for the 1968 film adaptation won him an Academy Award. Told in “marvelously articulate language, with humor that bristles and burns” ("Los Angeles Times"), "The Lion in Winter" is the rare play that bursts into life on the printed page.

Historical drama starring Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close. In 1183, after the death of his eldest son, King Henry II (Stewart) must decide which of his three remaining sons will succeed him. As the time for him to announce his successor approaches, Henry frees his imprisoned wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine (Close), who he held captive after she plotted to overthrow him. It soon becomes clear, however, that Eleanor favours first child Richard (Andrew Howard), while Henry sees his youngest, John (Rafe Spall), as the next in line but, in the weeks ahead, the King begins to have serious doubts if any of his sons are capable of becoming the new ruler.

Comedic Drama

Characters: 5 male, 2 female

King Henry II of England has three sons by Eleanor of Aquitaine: Richard, Geoffrey, and John. 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. Uneasy is the head on which the crown lies, and uneasy the truce between a matchless king and queen. Often revived, 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

Insecure siblings fighting for their parents' attention; bickering spouses who can't stand to be together or apart; adultery and sexual experimentation; even the struggle to balance work and family: These are themes as much at home in our time as they were in the twelfth century. In James Goldman's classic play "The Lion in Winter," domestic turmoil rises to an art form.
Keenly self-aware and motivated as much by spite as by any sense of duty, Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine maneuver against each other to position their favorite son in line for succession. By imagining the inner lives of Henry, Eleanor, and their sons, John, Geoffrey, and Richard, Goldman created the quintessential drama of family strife and competing ambitions, a work that gives visceral, modern-day relevance to the intrigues of Angevin England.
Combining keen historical and psychological insight with delicious, mordant wit, the stage play has become a touchstone of today's theater scene, and Goldman's screenplay for the 1968 film adaptation won him an Academy Award. Told in "marvelously articulate language, with humor that bristles and burns" ("Los Angeles Times"), "The Lion in Winter" is the rare play that bursts into life on the printed page.