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stabbing, plotting, and double-crossing – just a typical family Christmas
for the Plantagenets, England's royal family….
| Acclaimed
writer James Goldman’s ingenious drama pits Henry II against his
uncompromising wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and their three heirs in
a 12th-century power struggle. The seven royal characters are intelligent,
cruel, and ambitious by degrees, but their complex relationships,
closely guarded, betray their vulnerabilities. Translating medieval
politics into a real human drama, Goldman’s script is darkly compelling,
genuinely moving, and sharply witty. |
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The
story takes place in what is now the South of France but was,
in 1183, still part of England. The King and Queen, once passionate
lovers, have become embittered enemies, so much so, that Henry
has imprisoned Eleanor for many years. When she is released for
the Christmas Court at Chinon Castle, each member of the family
has their own agenda as they struggle for two prizes – the crown,
and the Aquitaine. Eleanor favours eldest son Richard as successor
but Henry prefers his youngest, John. Middle son Geoffrey is left
to play his siblings, one against the other. The struggle is further
complicated by the arrival of Philip, young King of France, who
demands that Henry either honour the agreement which saw his sister
Alais betrothed to Richard, or return the all-important county
– the Vexin. The problem for Henry is that Alais is his mistress.
A tangled web of intrigue, divided loyalties and painful mind
games ensues.
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