The Vic to present ‘The Lion in Winter’

Staff report

Youngstown

The Victorian Players will finish its season with James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter,” which pits royalty against each other for the throne of King Henry II.

“Lion” opens Friday for a three-weekend run.

The play takes place during Christmas of 1183 at the chateau of King Henry II.

Act I opens with the arrival of Henry’s wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, whom Henry has had imprisoned, and the entire play revolves around the gamesmanship between Eleanor, Henry, their sons Richard, Geoffrey and John, a guest, Phillip II of France and the half-sister of Phillip, Alais.

Richard, Geoffrey and John each hope to be the heir to Henry’s throne. Eleanor favors Richard to succeed Henry, and Henry leans toward John. To complicate matters, Philip II has arrived to remind the king about a promise he had made to marry his heir to Phillip’s sister, Alais.

The Vic production features Molly Galano as Eleanor and Terry Shears as Henry II.

The film version of “The Lion in Winter” included Katharine Hepburn opposite Peter O’Toole in the starring roles.

The Vic will offer a Father’s Day promotion June 14. Fathers will be admitted free with an accompanying paid admission.

Audience members also can buy raffle tickets for the original jewelry that will be worn in the show by Eleanor and Alais. The jewelry is being designed by Robert Dennick Joki of Rust Belt Theater Company.