By Jennifer Mustoe, a Reviewer for Front Row Reviewers
I’m constantly amazed at the finesse, craftmanship, and brilliance CenterPoint Legacy Theatre brings to Utah, and their current play, The Lion in Winter is no exception. Based on a slightly exaggerated and somewhat fictionalized piece of history, The Lion in Winter‘s story of family intrigue, betrayal, sexual exploits, and yes, love, are demonstrated on CPT’s comfortable black box Leishman Hall stage.
King Henry II, played with fierce ruthlessness, and holy and unholy passion by Nathan Riddle, banished his equally passionate, power-hungry, lonely wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, played by Leslie Barrett. Henry found out about Eleanor’s convincing her three grown sons to rebel against their father and he had her imprisoned in 1173 until his death in 1189. The play centers around Eleanor’s annual visit to Henry’s court over Christmas. There she meets with her three surviving sons, Richard (Matthew Dickerson), Geoffrey (Mark Andrus), and John (Alex Beck). Also visiting are King Phillip of France (Ryan Kinville) and his half-sister Alais (Isabella Giordano), who was engaged to Richard at age eight, but in the play, we see that she and Henry are lovers.
This is one messed up, crazy Christmas–one that sounds like a horrible holiday of royal proportions. The theme of Christmas is only touched on, and it is actually not based on fact, but it’s an effective way to show the pure deception and conniving of each family member. As I write this review, I can say that there is not any truly kind words spoken by anyone, no real affection, except between Henry and Alais, and isn’t that a fine kettle of fish?
Every scene is powerful, with much shouting, back biting, conniving, and pure disgust centering on who will be heir to Henry’s crown. Interestingly, the crown is up for grabs even though it usually goes to the eldest son, and each brother treats his siblings with deception, ridicule, and distaste. This would not be a family I’d like to grow up in, or even live next door to, but oh how it plays out onstage. Every scene is thrilling, and I found myself rooting for this person or that, simply because the actors play them so convincingly and precisely. I cannot stress this enough. All of the players glimmer and burn.
The power of the love/hate relationship between Henry and his bride is heart-breaking. Riddle and Barrett are startlingly brilliant, and I use those words very rarely. They deserve all the praise I can give. Each has passion toward one another and their one tender moment (and believe me, it’s a moment) almost made me cry. Eleanor pleads with Henry to take her back, but is it because she loves him or she wants out of her prison? Her begging sounds so real, but she is a ruthless player in this tangled marriage and we never know if she’s telling the truth or yet another lie. She and Henry really are well-suited for one another since they are both–troubled. With hearts of stone.
Brothers Richard and Geoffrey and King Phillip and are equally easy to root for and then…not. These men onstage are fierce, utterly believable, and one cannot take their eyes off of them. Giordano as Alais is the pawn in it all and she is sweet and loving in some scenes, fed up in others, and destroyed in several. I hurt for her. And Beck’s John is the only comic device and he plays the loopy youngest brother so well, we’re grateful to laugh at him.
Playwright James Goldman supplies plenty of humor, though, often with sarcasm and the wickedly twisting plot line. There are plenty of laughs in The Lion in Winter, but it could never be called a comedy. Director Jansen Davis weaves this comedy into the stark, raw feelings of his characters, giving the audience a moment to breathe. Davis knows his actors’ strengths and maximizes every scene with depth and terrifying beauty.
The minimalist set by Brian Hahn and Davis keeps the focus on the players, lighting by Nathan Hadley creates darkness and light appropriate for a dark and light play, and sound by Derek Walden conveys each tender and vicious moment with expertise. Costumes are brilliant, especially Eleanor’s beautiful gown, thanks to Sydnie Howard.
The audience was enthusiastic and I hope every night can be so supportive, as The Lion in Winter deserves not just praise but patronage.
A review by Front Row Reviewers.
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre presents The Lion in Winter, by James Goldman.
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre, Leishman Hall, 525 N 400 W, Centerville, Utah 84014
June 16 – July 9, 2023 Monday, Thursday – Saturday 7:00 PM
Tickets: $16.00
Contact: 801-298-1302, CPTUtah.org
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Promotional Reel
Photography by Kirsten Smith
Note: The Lion in Winter has infrequent mentions of murder, adultery, sexual abuse, and deception. Put in context, I didn’t find them offensive, but if you plan to take your teens, I’d give them some info before you attend the play. Here is info that will give background for those of you who like to research historical events.
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