Actors Needed for "The Lion in Winter" Play Audition

King of England. Henry is at an age which, during his time, men were either old or dead. But not Henry. Though arthritis comes occasionally and new battle wounds don’t heal the way the old ones did, he still is very nearly all he every was. He is enjoying that final rush of physical and mental vigor that comes to some men, not before the end but just before the decline.

Queen of England, Duchess of Aquitaine, former Queen of France; Henry’s wife, ten years his senior, she is a truly handsome woman of great temperament, authority and presence. She has been a queen of international importance for 46 years and you know it. Henry imprisoned her under house arrest ten years ago for supporting their sons in an unsuccessful rebellion. She continues to care deeply for Henry but fiercely resists being disregarded or subordinate.

Richard Lionheart is the eldest surviving son of Henry and Eleanor, and has been a famous soldier since his sixteenth birthday. He’s impressive and domineering but has a tense relationship with both of his parents. He is his mother’s favorite, yet he’s wary of her - does she genuinely love and support him, or does she use him as a tool in her conflict with his father.

Count of Brittany, the second eldest surviving son of Henry and Eleanor, Geoffrey is attractive, charming, and the most intelligent of the brothers. His parents, however, never consider him in the running to be king— even though he possesses the intellectual promise of a great monarch.

(To play a 16 y.o) The youngest son of Henry and Eleanor, John is Henry’s favorite and his chosen heir. He has been spoiled rotten by his father and is sulky and sullen. He often taunts his brothers, knowing that Henry will back him up. However, beneath his boasting, he is deeply insecure, as he knows he has neither Richard’s brawn nor Geoffrey’s brain. His lack of maturity and desperate desire to come out on top lead him to be easily manipulated - he’s in over his head.

(Pronounced “Alice”) Daughter of the late King of France and half-sister to King Philip. She is deeply in love with Henry, many years her senior, and has been his mistress for seven years. In that time, she has grown from a simple teenage girl to a gentle and thoughtful young woman with a quiet strength. Though at times she tries to match Henry’s family in their ruthlessness, she knows her kind nature will not allow her to truly compete with them.

The young King of France, half-brother to Alais. Philip has come to Henry’s court to demand that a treaty made with his late father be fulfilled and to exact what revenge he can for the years of humiliation his father suffered at Henry’s hands. He is relatively new to his throne but shows more skill at this game than anyone expected by going toe to toe with Henry and then encouraging the rebellious thoughts of Henry’s sons through empty promises made to each of them in turn.