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	          The Island Repertory Company's

			THE LION IN WINTER


		 A Theatre Review by Jason W. Tice

			April 15th and 16th
			Kaleidescope Theatre
			  520 herald Street
			    Victoria, BC

	This is a brief review of the Island Repertory Company's 
	production of "The Lion in Winter" written by James Goldman, 
	I think?

	Plot Summary:  
	
	Henry the Second's son, Henry is dead.  It is Christmas
	time.  Henry releases his wife, Eleanor of Aquataine (sp?) 
	from her inprisonment for the holidays.  Together, they plot 
	intrigue upon intrigue against each other to try to define 
	who will inherit the throne of England.  Henry favors Prince 
	John; Eleanor favors Prince Richard.  The other brother, 
	Geoffrey, and the king of France are also involved.  It goes 
	from there, leading to declarations of war.

	The first thing you notice is Joanne Masternak's (sp?) set.
	Her work really gives a good feel to the architecture of 
	the twelfth century.  Bold, stone rooms, large archways, 
	and lots of draped cloth transforms the theatre into Henry 
	the Second's castle at Chinot.

	Once the play starts, you are swiftly drawn into the intrigue.  
	The man who plays Henry, (David Jure, I think) dominates the 
	role of Henry.  The lady who plays Eleanor (forgive me, I don't 
	have the program handy) does justice to Katherine Hepburn.  I'm 
	tempted to say she surpasses Hepburn in the portrayal.

	"The Lion in Winter" is well executed.  I think that it is better 
	staged and produced than it's film counterpart.   It is very easy 
	to lose yourself in the archetypes of each of the characters:


	Henry II 	the King, toying with his family.
	Eleanor  	the Queen, plotting, bidding for her freedom 
			from inprisonment.
	Richard  	the warrior prince, the newly eldest.
	Geoffrey 	the schemer prince, the brain
	John 		the impudent brat, also a prince.
	Alias 		the King's mistress, unused to such plottings --
			or is she?
	Philip 		the King of France -- bolder and more skilled than his 
			years.

	This play is definately a must-see.  Pure entertainment, from 
	Victoria's newest theatre company. 

	
April 15
JWT/94