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The Lion in Winter

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  2w, 5m

James Goldman

Sibling rivalry, adultery, and dungeons – The Lion in Winter, by James Goldman, is a modern-day classic. Comedic in tone, dramatic in action – the play tells the story of the Plantagenet family, who are locked in a free-for-all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom.

The Lion in Winter

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Christmas/Holiday, Period, Docudrama/History
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
Sibling rivalry, adultery, and dungeons – The Lion in Winter, by James Goldman, is a modern-day classic. Comedic in tone, dramatic in action – the play tells the story of the Plantagenet family, who are locked in a free-for-all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom. The queen, and wealthiest woman in the world, Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been kept in prison since raising an army against her husband, King Henry II. Let out only for holidays, the play centers around the inner conflicts of the royal family as they fight over both a kingdom and King Henry’s paramour during the Christmas of 1183. As Eleanor says, “Every family has its ups and downs,” and this royal family is no exception.
History
The Lion in Winter was first presented at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City on March 3, 1966. Directed by Noel Willman.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
HENRY II - King of England
ALAIS - a French Princess
JOHN - the youngest son
GEOFFREY - the middle son
RICHARD LIONHEART - the oldest son
ELEANOR - Henry's wife
PHILIP - King of France
  • Time Period Medieval (6th-14th Century)
  • Setting Christmas, 1183. Henry's Castle at Chinon, France.
  • Features Elaborate/High-Volume Costumes, Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

"A work of intelligence, astringent wit, and much theatrical skill." – The New York Times

"Marvelously articulate language, with humor that bristles and burns." – The Los Angeles Times

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

    Please submit a license request to determine availability.

Scripts

Available Formats:
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Authors

James Goldman

James Goldman
James Goldman (1927-1998) was an American playwright, novelist, and screenwriter, honored with an Academy Award for the screen adaptation of his own play The Lion in Winter. He is also the author of the screenplays for Robin and Marion, Nicholas and Alexandra, and White Night ...
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