Novato Theater Company to Present THE LION IN WINTER, 8/30-9/22

Novato Theater Company opens its new season in its brand-new venue with a smashing historical drama, James Goldman's The Lion in Winter, a play full of plots, counterplots and unforgettable characters. Lion is directed by award-winning director Kris Neely and features Craig Christiansen as King Henry II of England and Maxine Sattizahn as Eleanor of Aquitaine. Assistant Director is Michael Walraven. NTC Executive Producer is Janelle Ponte.

The Lion in Winter opens on Friday, August 30 and runs through September 22 at the new Novato Playhouse just off Highway 101 at 5420 Nave Drive. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $12-$25 at (415) 883-4498. www.novatotheatercompany.org, Plenty of free parking.

The Lion in Winter is an engrossing historical drama depicting the personal and political conflicts of Henry II of England, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, their children and their guests during Christmas, 1183. On display is one of history's most powerful - and dysfunctional - families.

The deliciously convoluted story concerns the gamesmanship between Henry, Eleanor, whom Henry has imprisoned for ten years, their three surviving sons Richard,Geoffrey, and John, and their Christmas Court guest, the King of France, Philip II, who was the son of Eleanor's ex-husband, Louis VII of France (by his third wife,Adelaide). Also involved is Philip's half-sister Alais, who has been at court since she was betrothed to Richard at age eight, but has since become Henry's mistress.

It is palace intrigue and politics at the highest level.

The Lion in Winter was adapted by Goldman into an Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name, starring Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn.

Photo by: Janelle Ponte

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