PLAY REVIEW TNT's season goes out with 'Lion'

The actors' chemistry works well with the excellent script.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NILES -- Trumbull New Theatre is closing its season with "The Lion in Winter," a fictionalized tale of an aging King Henry II of England and his agony over choosing an heir to the throne.
But don't let the subject matter fool you into thinking this is a stuffy drama. The script is a masterpiece, filled with sharp-tongued wit and biting humor, immediately drawing the audience into the bickering of this barbaric family.
Not one of these characters is even remotely likable. They are all deceitful, lying, cheating, back-stabbing, pathetic examples of the human race, and all out for their own self-interest. Director Dr. James LaPolla chose an ideal cast to play these contemptible creatures. The chemistry works perfectly and their performance is delightful.
About the story
King Henry is played by veteran actor Tim McGinley, in love with his mistress Alais, (Maggie McDonnell), an innocent child who has become embittered by the corruption in which she is surrounded.
It is Christmas time, 1183, and Henry has gathered his family, including his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine (Emily Webster Love), whom he has kept imprisoned for 10 years after she plotted with her sons to rise up against him.
Their three sons are sorry excuses of men: Richard (Terry Wajda) is brutal and vicious, Geoffrey (Brian Gillespie) is conniving and devious, and goes with whichever side happens to be winning at the moment. John, (Ben Gavitt) is a whining and useless crybaby who throws tantrums when he doesn't get his way. Tom Morris plays King Philip, brother to Alais, who cares about no one as long as he gets what he wants.
No character really likes any other character in this play. It is all about exaggerated lust for power, and that is what makes the humor so delectably funny. They all switch loyalties so quickly, it is difficult to keep track of where anyone stands, and the winning side constantly changes, like top contenders in a horse race running nose-to-nose.
In the end, nobody wins, and nothing is resolved, but from an audience standpoint, that becomes irrelevant. The entertaining aspect of this play is in watching these horrible people use and abuse each other.
Mistress of craftiness
Love is impeccable as the stone-hearted Eleanor, who easily stoops to the lowest levels of immorality and lack of integrity to get what she wants. Henry may be king, but in many ways, even he cannot match her craftiness.
The one thing they can agree on, however, is that they have produced three aberrations in the form of their sons, whom they spend the entire play pretending to either love or hate, depending on which emotion is more beneficial to their agenda at the moment. Of course, the three miserable sons, none of whom are fit to be king, are all vying for power, alternately scheming with or against each other and their parents to advance their own self-interest.
Mention must also be given to the elaborate and impressive set, a rendition of the stone pillars of the castle in Chinon, where the play takes place. When the lights dimmed, the walls became huge doors through which crew members changed props for the many scene changes.
XThe play runs Fridays and Saturdays through May 27, at 8 p.m.; there is one Sunday matinee May 28 at 3 p.m. For ticket information, call (330) 652-1103.