ASU Theatre Presents "Lion in Winter"

The crown of England is at stake in ASU’s third production this theatre season, Tony Award-winning “The Lion in Winter”. The production centers on family and political conflicts at a Christmas gathering between England’s Henry the II, his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, their adult sons, Richard, Geoffrey and John, and King Philip of France and his half-sister, Alais.

In the fictionalized drama, King Henry has freed has wife from ten years of imprisonment to attend the Christmas court, however their dispute over which son should take the crown is still not settled. Henry favors the youngest, John, while Eleanor favors their eldest, Richard, and Geoffrey plots to play the parents against one another. There’s also a love triangle: King Philip’s sister Alais is betrothed to Richard, but is also the mistress of Henry II.

The “Lion in Winter” was written by James Goldman and debuted on Broadway in 1966. In 1968, a movie version of the play appeared, starring Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn. Goldman won and Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film.

The Performances are scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 11-12 and 18-19, with a Sunday matinee on Oct. 13 at 2:00 p.m. All performances take place in the ASU Auditorium in the Mayer Administration Building at 2601 W. Ave. N. Tickets are $8 for the public, $4 for non-ASU students and $3 for ASU students. Admission is free for Arts at ASU subscribers and ASU activity card holders. 

Tickets go on sale Monday, Oct. 7, at the ASU box office in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, 2602 Dena Drive.  The ASU box office is open 2-6 p.m. weekdays.  For reservations and/or ticket information, call 325-942-2000.

For more information on “The Lion in Winter” and/or season subscriptions, call 325-942-2146 or go online to www.angelo.edu/dept/arts/theatre/theatre_schedule.php.