We travel back in time to Christmas, 1183, at a castle in the Loire Valley of France. The royal family are gathering for the holidays and Henry II has a succession plan. But with a family that includes Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart and the King of France, things do not go as he planned!
The Phoenix Player’s presentation of the lauded American playwright James Goldman’s dark comedy, The Lion in Winter, is on until Nov. 23 at the Gladstone Theatre.
The play rotates through the perspectives of the family as they scheme, plot, and betray one another to claim the crown. This game of thrones makes the Lannister family look tame in comparison, and winter is definitely coming.
The Lion in Winter has many plotlines going on simultaneously, and it can be tough to follow all the characters schemes and plotting. But it’s ultimately entertaining, even if you get a bit lost, as the actors have such great comedic timing. Some of my favourite lines include “What shall we hang, the holly or each other?” and “I could have conquered Europe, but I had women in my life.”
Andrée Benson stole the show as Eleanor of Aquitaine, the estranged wife of Henry II. Her deadpan delivery and ruthless sarcasm had the audience laughing at her every word. I had the pleasure of seeing her perform in Grand Horizons earlier this year, and I highly recommend keeping an eye out for her future performances!
If you’re looking for something to get you into the holiday spirit, look no further than this hilarious medieval melodrama. Sit back, relax and enjoy the machinations of a historically dysfunctional family.
If you don’t get a chance to attend a showing of The Lion in Winter, I highly suggest going to see the Phoenix Players’ presentation of 1979, a Parliament Hill drama, from April 25, 2025 – May 3, 2025. Now in their 22nd season, the Phoenix Players are one of the original resident companies of the Gladstone Theatre and its only community theatre group.
The Lion in Winter is performing at the Gladstone Theatre from Nov. 15–23, Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30pm with a matinee on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm. For more information about the performance, visit the Gladstone Theatre’s website. For tickets, you can grab some online, or at the box office. Their number is 613-233-4523.
.gif)