Details

This powerful play is based on the final years of the reign of King Henry II of England. His eldest son is dead, whilst his wife and remaining sons fight against him and each other. Henry's powerful and alluring Queen Eleanor, is determined to secure the succession of her favourite son, while Henry plays his sons off against one another. The story is fraught with deceit, rivalry, jealousy and ambition. Henry and his sons ruled England for over sixty years. They brought fire, passion, wantonness and greed into the business of governing England. They had few scruples and killed with impunity, turning on each other without hesitation. This gripping play follows the couple as Henry, still in towering command, and Eleanor fight an underlying battle for allegiance of their devil's brood, while still fatally attracted to each other's lust for power.

Cast/Performers

Joanna Lumley (Eleanor Aquitaine), Robert Lindsay (Henry II), Tom Bateman (Richard), Sonya Cassidy (Alais), Joseph Drake (John), Rory Fleck-Byrne (Philip), James Norton (Geoffrey)

Creatives/Company

Author: James Goldman
Producer: Theatre Royal Haymarket
Director: Trevor Nunn
Design(s): Stephen Brimson Lewis, Ian William Galloway (video)
Costume: Stephen Brimson Lewis
Music: Steven Edis
Sound: Paul Groothuis