Captivating Cast Conquers the Stage with

Flawless Production of 'Lion'

Shea Chancey, staff writer

South Plains College’s theater program has done many wonderful shows in the past and have added a new classic to their shelf of success, making each show something new and fresh.

Leading off the year with the comedy, “The Lion in Winter,” play written by James Goldman, which was a hit.  Directed by Gene Cole, the play was performed on Oct. 6-9 and brought in more than 200 people. 

The play is about King Henry II of England, played by Jarred Tochterman, and his family is gathering to decide which son will be the next king after Henry’s death. Henry has promised the kingship to his favorite son, Johnny, played by Josh Samsel. However, Eleanor, Henry’s wife, played by Mariel Ramirez, who he keeps held captive, wants Richard, played by Robert Sullivan, to be king. Geoffrey, played by Brett Aiken, is the middle son and is left with nothing but a promise to be Johnny’s chancellor if he becomes king.

Henry and King Phillip of France, played by Josh Watson, had made a bargain to marry Alias, Henry’s mistress, played by Faith Lowery, to Richard for a large dowry, but she only wants Henry. Yet, Henry has already decided to give her to Johnny when he becomes king.  

When King Phillip arrives, he refuses the hand of Alias to anybody but Richard.

After many fights, arguments, and frustration, Henry promises to give Richard the throne to ensure that England remains strong. Johnny throws a little child’s fit and Geoffrey promises Eleanor that he will be Richard’s chancellor.

Eleanor talks Richard into giving her back the Aquitaine. In another room, Geoffrey secretly unites with Phillip to make himself king by talking Johnny into uniting with Phillip to create war against Henry.

Since Henry gave the thrown to Richard he tries to talk Eleanor into giving Johnny the Aquitaine for her freedom. She agrees only if Richard gets to marry Alias immediately.  Henry sends for a bishop and is about to give Alias away, but turns the tables around by telling how Johnny now gets the Aquitaine, making Richard mad. Richard refuses to marry Alias and give up the Aquitaine, so there is no wedding.

Henry gives Johnny back the kingship, and Richard threatens Henry with his army. Being king, Henry keeps his three sons and Eleanor captive in his castle. Also, Eleanor has lost, she discovers that Johnny has declared war against Henry, which will make Johnny disinherited, giving Richard the chance to be king again. So Eleanor sends Richard to talk with Phillip to get help in forming an army for his war, but this is where the audience finds out the Phillip and Richard are secret lovers. Their talk is disturbed as Henry knocks at the door, so Richard hides.

Henry threatens to take over France, but Phillip is not scared and tells Henry he will die soon and he can take back the land along with the rest of England. Phillip also tells how he and Richard are lovers and Richard comes out of hiding. Then Henry is informed by Geoffrey of Johnny’s war against him as well. Angered by all of this, Henry disowns all of his sons and tells Eleanor he wants a new wife, Alias, for more sons. Eleanor tells Henry that if he does, his three boys will unite and rage war against him. So Henry locks them up in the dungeon.

Henry asks for Alias’ hand in marriage. She accepts, telling Henry he must keep his sons locked up forever, for her sake and her child’s. Henry struggles with the thought, but agrees. So they head down to the dungeon to tell the news.

Meanwhile, Eleanor smuggles daggers to her boys so that they may escape. But the boys decide to stay and kill their father when he comes to see them. Eleanor threatens to warn him, but Geoffrey tells her that either way, her sons or her husband will die.

Henry enters and discovers the sons’ evil plan. So he tells Richard to pick up a knife and try, but Richard cannot go through with it. Henry sentences his boys to death and raises his sword to behead them. But he cannot go through with it. The boys leave the dungeon and the wedding is off for Alias and Henry.

Christmas is now over, so Eleanor must go back home for another year. The sons are still throne-less, leaving Henry with no successor. Everything is back to where it had started, and they must wait for another year to plot against one another.

The cast felt very good about their performance after the final curtain.

Ramirez said, “ I found the part of Eleanor to be challenging, and it stretched me. But I’m satisfied and very pleased with my performance and how I have grown as an actor.”

“ Delightfully well-written,” Sullivan added about the play.

The play was a success, and every actor and actress did his or her very best. If anyone missed out on “The Lion in Winter,” they missed one of the best performances SPC has put on. There are great things to look forward to from this group of thespians as this year continues on.

Auditions for the next play, “Rumors,” written by Neil Simon, will be held on October 12. Those interested in auditioning can show up or call Cole at 894-9611, ext. 2266, for more information.