Play review – “The Lion in Winter” by James Goldman

Crackerjack play about Christmas at the house of Henry II – it was not very successful in its original run despite theatre draws Robert Preston and Rosemary Harris in the lead, but was turned into a film which did well and has run ever since. I can’t believe this didn’t do better on Broadway – maybe Americans were uncomfortable with an American view of history (the language is very contemporary, though it seems highly appropriate). It’s a fascinating period of time, if Henry II isn’t that well known outside of England (though he clashed with Becket), his sons, Richard and John were, because of Robin Hood. Goldman writes in his introduction he’s not sure why the play has proved so popular – he guesses it’s a family play (sons squabbling over succession of the family business, in this case England and bits of France); it also has the historical stuff, plenty of great lines and twists and turns (everyone betrays everyone else – just when you think Henry’s down he comes back with a win), subtext of family. Perhaps a bit too cruel and harsh at times – this gives scope to the directors and cast. Wonderful.