The Lion In Winter

Drama
By David Wood
10 - 13 March 2004

Director                  Samantha Rawdon

The Cast

Press Review

The Lion in Winter,Shinfield Theatre Playwright James Goldman took us back to a castle in Chinon, France in the 12th century, to witness Henry II's imprisoned wife, Eleanor, scheming for the succession to the throne upon the death oh the king's eldest son. 

Directed by Samantha Rawdon, the entire cast achieved a variety of pace and powerful performances which enhanced this rather verbose play. 

The stillness of Chris Pett (Henry II) contrasted well with the expressive performances of Alex Buchan (Richard), Adrian Czajkowski (Geoffrey) and Nathan Chishick (John), who portrayed the youngest son with coltish candour in this, his first speaking part with the adult company. Lorraine Willis as Henry's wife, Queen Eleanor, exuded voluptuous warmth and sincerity throughout. 

The set design by Di Capel was evocative of the period and scene changes were swiftly and smoothly executed in this fascinating production.

Bron  (for the Reading Chronicle)

First Time Patrons Review

We very much enjoyed James Goldman's play "The Lion in Winter" at The Shinfield Player's Theatre having previously seen Katherine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole in the film many years ago.

The play is set at Christmas 1183 in the chateau of Chinon, where Henry II's wife Eleanor is held prisoner. Henry has summoned his three sons, the King of France and his sister Alais. As Eleanor says in Act II "every family has its difficulties". The play is a light-hearted commentary on the family
quarrels and manoeuvring for the succession to the English throne and for the hand of Alais, complicated by Henry's own desire for her.

The cast convincingly acted the various intrigues, manipulations and hatred for each other. Lorraine Willis as Eleanor and Nathan Chishick as John, were the outstanding performers well supported by the other players. 

The scenery successfully evoked the various rooms of the castle. We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. It was our first visit to Shinfield Player's Theatre and we felt so welcome in the friendly atmosphere of the theatre and its lounge.

Virginia and Tony Coulson

NODA Review

"THE LION IN WINTER"
10th March 2004

I was pleased to be invited to review Shinfield Players latest presentation "The Lion in Winter" on Wednesday 10th March 2004, being the first night. I must be honest and say that I had not seen this play before, so I came with no pre-concieved idea's. Initially in the opening scene, I felt that it was not historically correct, seeing a christmas tree and presents in the opening scene, but on reading the programme I found that the author had taken certain liberties with the historical period, although still retaining certain historical facts. The play revolved around an ageing Henry II and his three sons, who were all vying as to who would inherit the Crown on Henry's death and the resulting machinations.

I found this an intriguing play which contained quite a bit of humour. It was a wordy play, particularly in respect of Eleanor of Aquitaine - Henry's wife! But for a first niight I felt that the cast did extremelly well with the content of the play, being near word perfect. I only heard three surreptious prompts for the whole of the performance, which, as far as I am concerned, was quite an achievement. Generally the performers had been well cast and had certainly been well rehearsed in their respective parts although a little more projection was needed by a couple of the cast members as some of the dialogue was lost at the rear of the auditorium. The action of the play took place in various rooms in Henry II's castle at Chinon in France (a place I know well) during the christmas period of 1183. The scenic designer and constructors had done an excellent job of the various scenes, looking most authentic and the wardrobe department had come up trumps with a first class set of costumes which fitted the period exactly. Movement about the stage area could not be faulted achieving a well balanced stage at all times. The script was well delivered with pace and well pointed lines.

Chris Pett - (HENRY II - King of England) - This was a good presentation of 'Henry II' by Chris. His movements about the stage area was well controlled but I felt that he needed to present a more stately appearance as befitted the King of England. His exchanges with his three rebellious sons was well shown together with his deviousness. Be careful with your diction, Chris, as at times the spoken word was so close together that one lost them at the back of the auditorium. Apart from those minor comments, this was a good performance.

Sian Ellmes - (ALAIS CAPET - A French Princess) - Sian looked the part of the French Princess. She moved gracefully, aided by an excellent costume which she carried very well with good posture. Facial expressions were good as was the diction, but the voice needed more projection to reach the back of the theatre - A nice characterisation.

Nathan Chishick - (JOHN - The Youngest Son) - This young man was excellent, showing an enormous improvement in his acting skills.He moved well and his diction and projection was excellent and he had obviously got right inside the character he was playing - Well done.

Alex Buchan - RICHARD LIONHEART - The Eldest Son) - Here is another performer who has improved over recent performances. His diction was first class and he made the part of 'Richard Lionheart' a commanding presence on stage as befitted the character. Movement about the stage area was well controlled - Well done.

Adrian Czajkowski) - (GEOFFREY - The Middle Son) - Adrian played the part of the obsequious, but devious, middle son of Henry very well indeed. He had all the right mannerisms and appeared to have immersed himself into this character. His lines were well pointed with good diction and projection - Well done.

Lorraine Willis - (ELEANOR of AQUITAINE - Henry's Wife) - This was a mammoth part played extremelly well by Lorraine. Her involvement in all the Court's devious machinations was put across very well with well pointed lines and good diction. Her acting was of a high standard and is probably one of the best parts I have seen her play - Congratulations.

Gary Ellmes - (PHILIP CAPET - King of France ) - This was a good characterisation by Gary of the 'oily' King of France. He looked the part, aided by an excellent costume. His movement and body language fitted the part exactly with well pointed lines, although I would liked to have heard a little more projection on the voice as at times it was difficult to hear some of the words at the back of the auditorium.

Samantha Rawdon - (DIRECTOR) - Sam had cast members of this play very well, giving a good balance in the overall picture. She had characterised them in their various roles and her stage positioning could not be faulted. The mark of a good producer is an eye for detail which Sam certainly has. Overall this was a well presented play which I am sure entertained the audience - Congratulations.

Stage Manager & Crew - This was a well managed stage with slick scene changes, although at times the changes were on the noisy side and could be clearly heard at the back of the auditorium. With a play of this nature it may well be worth considering incidental music to be played which would cover any noises which may happen during scene changes

Set Design & Construction - This play required nine sets, three of which doubled. Each scene was effective, none more so than scene three, act two, 'The Wine Cellar'. I was particularly impressed with the flickering sconces in this scene. The sets had been well constructed and the decor just right making the whole play atmospheric - Well done to the set designer and constructors.

Lighting & Sound - This was a good lighting plot with different lighting for each scene. It engendered a good atmosphere throughout, particularly in the 'Wine Cellar' scene. Cues on the night of my visit were well picked up with no late entries. Sound was adequate for the majority of the cast but a couple of the performers did not project sufficiently to be heard at the back of the auditorium which was not the fault of the sound system.

Properties - All properties appeared to have been well researched and fitted the period in question, looking authentic in every way

Wardrobe - The wardrobe department did well with the costumes which depicted the period displayed i.e. 1183 A.D. They appeared to fit well and gave a good deliniation between the various characters, depicting well their station in the hierarchy.

Prompt - Annette did an excellent job as prompt. On the night of my visit, which was the first night, I only heard three prompts during the whole of the performance which indicated a very high standard with such a wordy play. Each one was beautifully timed so that there was no embarrassing pauses and which kept the flow - Well done.

Make-up - From the front, the make-up appeared to have been well applied with the right bases and highlights. I would have liked to have seen more character make-up in respect of 'Henry II' as he looked too young to be an ageing King.

Programme - An excellent programme of just the right size. It contained all the relevant information, together with items of interest and was easily readable in subdued light. Cast photographs had been well reproduced and it had an eye-catching cover.

Front of House - As one has come to expect from this society, Front of House staff were easily identifiable, smartly dressed and welcoming to their audience.

Thank you for inviting me to review your latest production"The Lion in Winter" and for your excellent hospitality. I look forward, with anticipation to your next production and wish you all success.

Henry Hawes - NODA Representative - Region 13.