Roles in "The Lion in Winter."

[PJ]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 10:41pm

My local theatre is doing "The Lion in Winter" in late fall, and I am considering auditioning for it. My question is this: Is there a role for an 18 year old male in that play? Or atleast a role that a mature 18 year old could play?

Any help is appreciated!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 10:51pm

Depending on the relative ages of the rest of the cast, you could play John, the youngest brother. He's portrayed as a bit 'slow,' but it's still an ok role. It's a GREAT play, and the movie with Hepburn and O'Toole is faithful to the script, if you want to get an idea of it.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:01pm

You could definitely play John. Keith Nobbs who played John in the last NY revival at Roundabout in '99 was about 21 at the time (and much looked younger -- he still plays late teens, early 20's even now).

I suppose, depending on how "mature" you look and how the other roles are cast, there's even a chance you could play Geoffrey, the middle brother (though that's probably more of a stretch).

[PJ]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:04pm

I can definitely play older and mature. I played Uncle Wes in Footloose last Spring. However, I do not think I look extremely mature for my age.

EDIT: But, I sing baritone. So my voice is somewhat deep, but I'm not Barry White. Updated On: 8/2/04 at 11:04 PM

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:08pm

im so jelous, ive always wanted to play geoffrey, he's my favorite of the brothers- the most interesting i.m.o. when you do your audition, make sure that you are able to bring out the comedy in the lines, it is a really hillarious play.

[PJ]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:09pm

Hilarious? It's a drama. But, I have no read it, yet, so maybe you are referring to the biting dialogue I've read about in it.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:12pm

There's also King Philip of France that a very young Timothy Dalton (future James Bond) played in the movie (he was 22 and angelic-looking at the time). Some very good scenes, especially the last big one at the end (some interesting homoerotic interplay with Richard, played by a young little known Anthony Hopkins in the film).

As DGrant said, rent the movie -- it really terrific and very entertaining (Katharine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole are brilliant together). It'll give you a much better idea of the play than anything we can tell you here.

Oh, and it's hysterically funny (ultimately a drama, but almost campily funny in many spots):

"Of course he has a knife, he always has a knife, we all have knives! It's 1183 and we're all barbarians!"

Updated On: 8/2/04 at 11:12 PM

[PJ]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:17pm

Thank you, Margo. Where would I be w/out you and your vast knowledge of plays?

I will definitely check out the movie, if Blockbuster has it. I'll probably order the play online this week as well.

Thanks again!

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:25pm

i just bought i copy, and read it the other day- its great

i saw that showtime re-made it with glenn close as well, and it aired just a few months ago (i believe there was a thread on it here) but i missed it but i doubt it could beat the hepburn version anyway.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:28pm

I saw about half of the version with Glenn Close and Patrick Stewart and seemed like it was pretty good. Not sure how it compares to the original since I didn't see the whole movie.

Updated On: 8/2/04 at 11:28 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:37pm

I played Richard in a production with my mother playing Eleanor. made for some VERY interesting sparring scenes between mother and son

And our Phillip was GORGEOUS - didn't mind that aspect of it at all!

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 11:40pm

when i read plays i always invent the voices of the characters in my head. i did that for "lion in winter", but i couldn't shake the sounds of kate, try as i might. i couldn't really remember o'toole's or hopkins, but hepburn's was my voice for eleanore, she just puts her mark on all her characters.