AUDITION NOTICE!
The Lion in Winter
by James Goldman
Directed by Michael Hiller
Producers: Julie Rush and Karen Matthews
ON STAGE: September 11 – October 3, 2026
(Non-union, non-paying. We are unable to cast equity or ACTRA members.)
AUDITIONS will be held on ZOOM at the following dates and times:
- Tuesday May 26: 6:30 – 10:00pm
- Thursday May 28: 6:30 – 10:00pm
- Saturday May 30: 6:30 – 10:00pm
Call-backs will be held in person at the VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE, 2190E Bloor St. West (around the corner from Runnymede subway station) on Thursday June 4: 6:30 – 10:00pm
REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES will also take place at the VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE.
Rehearsals will be typically held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (7:00 – 10:00pm) and Sunday (1:00 – 5:00pm) but can be flexible depending on actor availability.
Rehearsals will begin with a read-through on Thursday June 11.
Actors must be available for all of Tech Sunday September 6; for Tech Week evenings of Monday September 7 through Thursday September 10 (preview performance).
Note: Tech Sunday and the Monday Dry Run are during the Labour Day Weekend.
Actors must be available for all 14 performances:
- Friday September 11 – Saturday September 12 (Saturday is a matinée)
- Wednesday September 16 – Sunday September 20 (Sunday is a matinée)
- Thursday September 24 – Sunday September 27 (Saturday and Sunday are matinées)
- Thursday October 1 – Saturday October 3
Actors are also expected to stay for a short wine & cheese reception with the patrons after Opening Night (Friday September 11) and the short audience Talkback after the show on October 1.
SYNOPSIS:
It’s Christmas, 1189, at Chinon castle in France. King Henry II of England has brought his feuding family together to resolve the question of succession, a treaty with the current King of France, and volatile interpersonal relationships, particularly that with his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. There will be threats, deceit, betrayals, politics, and fighting. In other words, a typical family gathering for the holidays.
CHARACTERS:
Henry – Male, 50ish
Eleanor – Female, 50+
Richard – Male, 20’s+
Geoffrey – Male, 20’s+
John – Male, late teens
Alais – Female, 20+
Phillip – Male, late teens/early 20’s
Henry Plantagenet. AKA Henry II, King of England, Ireland, Wales, and large parts of France. He is 50 years old at this point in time, and worried about future of his kingdom. His 5 sons (2 have died, 1 recently) have contentious relationships with him to say the least. 3 of them have led armed rebellions against him in the not too distant past. He is a brilliant tactician, ruthless, funny and has learned to deal with treachery on a grand scale. He is currently involved with a much younger woman, who is actually betrothed to his eldest son as part of a treaty. He is actually still married to…
Eleanor of Aquitaine. She is 61 years old, and the former Queen of France. She is, as Henry says “…a woman out of legend”. She is a match for him on every level and, possibly, even more unscrupulous. She is adept at exploiting weaknesses in opponents, of whom Henry is her favourite. She was actively involved in the rebellions against him, and that is one of the reasons he keeps her locked away. She has been released for the Christmas Court only, but is looking forward to seizing the opportunity to twist the knife any way she can. She is, of course, still in love with Henry, with whom she had 8 children including …
Richard, 26 years old, and the eldest surviving son. As he describes himself he is “… a constant soldier and a sometime poet and I will be king.”. Indeed, his ambition is such that he has led revolts against his father, and will do so again. He is Eleanor’s favourite, but their relationship is complicated and then some, and the nature of it is only hinted at. He is a thorn in Henry’s side, as is…
Geoffrey. The middle child, 25, who has also taken part in the civil wars. As devious as his parents, if not more so, Geoffrey has his own agenda which, he hopes, will see himself as Henry’s only choice for successor to the throne. He plays all sides against each other without emotion or guilt. As Henry describes him “He isn’t flesh: he’s a device; he’s wheels and gears.”. He does, however, resent that he is no-one’s first choice, particularly when it comes to…
John. He is described as being a “walking pustule” and has “…pimples and he smells of compost”, to which Henry responds “He’s just sixteen; he can’t help the pimples.” He is spoiled, crude, ill-tempered and, seemingly, somewhat dull-witted. Still he is, despite all this, Henry’s favourite son, perhaps because of his perceived loyalty. Henry’s also expecting him marry…
Alais Capet, who is actually betrothed to Richard, as part of a treaty with France, and despite the fact that she is currently having an affair with Henry. She is being played as a bargaining chip by most of the principals, and highly resents it “Kings, queens, knights everywhere you look and I’m the only pawn” she says. Everyone uses her, including her brother…
Phillip Capet, King of France, who has come to see the overdue terms of the treaty resolved, by the marriage of Alais, or the return of the region Henry received in the negotiations with his father, King Louis VII, whom Phillip has recently succeeded. He is 17 years old, and every inch a monarch. He is smart, savvy and just as ruthless as his opponents. He has also had an interesting relationship with Richard, which he intends to exploit.
PREPARATION:
- Please prepare a 2 minute comedic or dramatic monologue. You may be redirected.
- Auditionees must read the script (available on request).
- There may be cold reads from the play.
TO BOOK AN AUDITION: Please email a copy of your headshot and resume to villageplayersauditions@gmail.com with your preferred date, time, interested role(s), and contact information. Once we receive and confirm your details, we will give you a day and time for your audition.
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