Christmas Court Pits Royalty in Power Plays

The Sopranos' mob families have nothing on King Henry II's Christmas court of 1183 when it comes to scheming, treachery and emotional manipulation.

From the start of The Lion in Winter, on the second stage at the , it's evident that Henry's clan wrote the playbook on how to backstab those closest to you when there's something to be gained: power, riches, territory and even love.

The Lion in Winter concludes this weekend, with showtimes at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Call the box office at 949-489-8082 or visit caminorealplayhouse.org for ticket information.

A 50-year-old man in medieval times was considered to have one foot in the grave. Henry (Tom Scott) is starting to feel his age and is seeking peace of mind. He wants to ensure that his English provinces remain united after his death, so he calls for his wife and three sons to join him at his castle in Chinon, France, in order to determine his successor.

"Calls" makes it sound like a genteel family gathering. This is not. Holding court was a political power play—a tool for pressing influence and striking allegiances. Everyone—from family member to honored guest—was essentially a political prisoner. Christmas court in particular was the perfect time to shower good will on monarchs from other nations.

So it's not the spirit of benevolence spurring Henry to bring his wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (Rose London), out of exile to talk succession plans. (It seems that a decade ago she may have encouraged a revolt against him.) Their relationship soured, Henry and Eleanor are motivated by spite and self-preservation as they maneuver to gain the advantage in positioning a favorite son to become the next king of England.

Eleanor sides with the eldest son, Richard (Bobby Schiefer), a famous and successful soldier since a teenager battling in the Crusades. He is the strongest and toughest of the sons, but it seems his intense and domineering manner shields a host of deep-set anxieties. Could mommy dearest have anything to do with it?

Henry favors the youngest son, John (Conner Hill), a brash and spoiled teenager who's clueless about the true import of the monarchy. Why would Henry trust the throne to a churlish child? Well, he wouldn't be the first parent to ignore bad behavior when it comes to "the baby" of the family.

Brainy middle son Geoffrey (Jeff Lowe) recognizes he's the odd man out in this familial schizophrenic struggle. Before you can say "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia," Geoffrey not only is playing the victim card, but also playing everyone against each other so that he can come out on top.

Another family member with much to lose and everything to gain is Alais (Torrie Gekas). She started living with the family at age 8, when she was betrothed to Richard. Now a beauty in her early 20s, Alais has fallen in love in Henry, and he has made her his mistress. Henry has led Alais to believe that he'll have his marriage to Eleanor annulled so that he can marry her, make her his queen and start another family—and thus, a new dynasty. (Boy, when hasn't a single lady heard this from a married guy?) Alais seems a true innocent at first, but then, doesn't every kitten eventually show her claws?

A visitor at court is the young Philip II of France, the son of Eleanor's ex-husband, Louis VII of France. Though not yet 20 years old, he's ruled as the French monarch king for three years. He has years to go before he reaches Henry's level of wily political gamesmanship, but he proves himself a fast learner and a worthy opponent.

Now, there was never an actual Christmas court at Chinon in 1183. The beauty of playwright James Goldman's work is his adept weaving of significant historical events and figures with startling insights into the psychology of family strife. Rosemary Harris as Eleanor won a Tony Award for her performance in the original 1966 Broadway production that also starred Robert Preston as Henry and Christopher Walken as Philip. Goldman won an Academy Award for his screenplay for the 1968 film adaptation that starred Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn and Anthony Hopkins.

"I've wanted to do this play since the first time I read it more than 30 years ago," said Tom Scott, co-founder of Camino Real Playhouse and president of Capistrano Center for the Performing Arts. "I've seen many productions of it over the years, and I'm so thrilled to finally have the opportunity to present it on Stage II."

A confident cast, abetted by director Marla Ladd, expertly brings Goldman's deliciously witty "dramedy" to vibrant life.

Scott, who cofounded Camino Real Playhouse with his wife, B.J. Scott, recently played a grown-up Ralph Parker as the unseen narrator in A Christmas Story.

Rose London, as Eleanor, played the role of Aunt Queenie in Bell, Book and Candle staged recently at Mysterium in Orange. She also performed in original works by David Macaray at Stages Theatre in Fullerton.

Bobby Schiefer, who plays Richard, is making his debut on Stage II. His credits include Charlie in Not Now, Darling at San Diego's Scripps Ranch Theatre, another playhouse co-founded by the Scotts.

Jeff Lowe, who plays Geoffrey, is directing Alice in Wonderland at Mysterium.

Bryan Bertone, as Philip, also makes his debut at Camino Real Playhouse. A short list of his credits include The History Boys, The Crucible and Mr. Wade Is Dead.

Torrie Gekas, who plays Alais, is another Camino Real Playhouse first-timer. Among her favorite roles are Rose of Sharon in The Grapes of Wrath, Irina in Three Sisters and Laura in The Glass Menagerie.

Connor Hill, as John, has been onstage and in musical theater for six years. The 14-year-old played the roles of Flick in A Christmas Story and Wally in Our Town for Camino Real Playhouse and Winthrop in The Music Man at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Director Ladd had more than 300 theatrical shows under her belt when she and her husband, Robert, decided to open Mysterium Theater. She has worked as a consultant for several major amusement parks, owned a scenic shop and produced trade shows and special events. In addition she teaches theater classes at the university, college and high school levels.