King John

Synopsis

England versus France, peace versus war, might versus right, private passion versus public duty, King John has them all. He is a virtuoso politician with an uncontrollable passion for the crown - a hero and a villain. The play is powered by the politics of war with the future of England at stake. All goes well for King John and his tactically brilliant political manoeuvres, until the Pope's ambassador interferes. War and torture ensue, and King John's hold on the crown slips away.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 23 January 2012

“Bell, book and candle,” that’s one of the phrases we owe to King John; as well as the great speeches of the rampaging Queen Constance and the terrific energy in those of the Bastard, culminating in “This England never did, nor never shall, lie at the proud foot of a conqueror…”

The first audience, still celebrating Drake’s victory over the Spanish Armada, must have loved that. The play spreads from a dispute over land in the shires to the ongoing territorial conflict with the French, the interfering influence of Rome and the constitutional future of the monarchy: it’s virtually a handbook of how Tudor England might have talked about itself.

The Bastard Faulconbridge, winningly played here by a notable newcomer, Rikki Lawton, is more complex even than his confrѐres Iago and Edmund; he slithers righteously through the political power broking as both contender and critic. And Nicholas Osmond makes ...

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Latest User Review

Taylor Hargreaves - 23 February 2012:

A bunch of shifty looking actors sitting around a table in tat costumes. Just like watching a tramps conference. Bleedin' awful, gov! Got a quid for a cuppa-tea? ...

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