Yearly Archives: 2013

Mariemont Players Announces Auditions For THE LION IN WINTER

Director Dee Dunn will hold auditions for the Mariemont Players production of THE LION IN WINTER, a dramatic comedy by James Goldman, at the Walton Creek Theater, 4101 Walton Creek Road (just east of Mariemont) from 1:00-4:00pm on Sunday, August 4th and from 7:00-10:00pm on Monday, August 5th, 2013.

King Henry II of England has three sons by Eleanor of Aquitaine: Richard, Geoffrey, and John. He wants the kingdom to stay united after his death, but all three sons want to rule and it is likely to be torn apart by revolution. Henry favors the youngest John, while Eleanor favors the eldest, Richard. Middle son Geoffrey hopes to play both ends against each other and come out on top. Henry would like to have another heir by his mistress Alais, but that would only add to the confusion. Uneasy is the head on which the crown lies, and uneasy the truce between a matchless king and queen. Often revived, this play was the basis of the Oscar-winning film which starred Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn.

Cast requirements are: 5 men, stage ages 16 to 50, and 2 women, stage ages 23 to 61. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. (See below for specific characters).

The production will be staged November 8th through November 24th, 2013.

For more information or questions about auditions, contact the director at dunnt@fuse.net.

Characters: (Ages given are stage age)

• Henry II (50) – King of England just turned 50 an age at which, in his time, men were either old or dead. Though arthritis comes occasionally and new battle wounds don’t heal the way the old ones did, he still is very nearly all he ever was. He is enjoying that final rush of physical and mental vigor that comes to some men not before the end but just before the start of decline. Played by Robert Preston in the 1966 Broadway production, played by Peter O’Toole in the 1968 film, and played by Patrick Stewart in the 2003 made for TV movie.
• Eleanor of Acquitaine (61) – Henry’s wife, 61 but looks nothing like it. She is a truly handsome woman of great temperament, authority and presence. She has been a queen of international importance for 46 years and you know it. A genuinely feminine woman thoroughly capable of holding her own in a man’s world. Played by Rosemary Harris in the 1966 Broadway production, played by Katherine Hepburn in the 1968 film, and played by Glenn Close in the 2003 made for TV movie.
• Richard (26) – Richard the Lion Heart, the oldest son, like his father and his legend. Thick and powerful but at the same time graceful, handsome, impressive. He has been a famous soldier since his middle teens and is thoroughly at home with power and politics. Played by Anthony Hopkins in the 1968 film.
• Geoffrey (25) – The middle son, attractive, quick of speech and movement. The best brain of a brainy family.
• John (16) – The youngest son who will eventually become the King John we know from Robin Hood stories and who will be forced to sign the Magna Carta. In this play he is an adolescent and his father’s favorite.
• Alais (23) – Henry’s mistress, sister to Philip, the king of France. Serenely beautiful and in love with Henry.
• Philip (17) – King of France, his manner is open, direct and simple and he smiles easily. He has been King for three years and has learned a great deal. Played by Christopher Walken in the 1966 Broadway production, and played by Timothy Dalton in the 1968 film.