What happens when the future of the English Crown hangs in the balance? How does a treasonous queen, locked away for betraying her husband, decide which of her sons will become the next king? What is the wealthiest woman in the world to do when her kingly husband no longer honors the sanctity of their—albeit strained—marriage?
James Goldman answered these questions in his 1968 film “The Lion in Winter.” More than fifty years later, Cal Poly is answering these same questions in its 2024 musical adaptation of Goldman’s movie.
Cal Poly’s production is hosted by the Theatre & Dance Department but is open to all majors. The cast and crew members, composed of Cal Poly students, rehearsed and practiced for months in preparation for the show, which explores the complex dynamics among a twelfth-century English royal family navigating the future of the kingdom and the succession of the Crown.
A synopsis of the production explains that the musical follows the events of King Henry II’s royal court at a Christmas celebration in 1183. King Henry’s family competes to sway the King’s judgment when deciding the heir to the kingdom of England. His wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been banished to the palace dungeons for summoning an army against her husband and is only allowed freedom on holidays. This Christmas, she too seeks to influence her husband’s decision regarding his heir while fending off his extramarital pursuers. As their sons fight amongst each other, the drama escalates. Adulterous encounters and power struggles abound. Meanwhile, this melodrama must be balanced with a healthy dose of comedy woven throughout. With all the scheming and sinning, this royal family’s Christmas celebration is anything but jolly.
You can catch all the intrigue and scandals tangled in this dramatic family Christmas right here in San Luis Obispo! Cal Poly’s musical version of “The Lion in Winter” opened on Thursday, November 7, running until Sunday, November 10, and then again from Thursday, November 14, until Saturday, November 16. All showings are at 8:00 pm except for the Sunday show, which is at 2:00 pm. Shows last around two hours. Tickets can be found here or at the Performing Arts Center Ticket Office. Prices range from $15 to $30 with student pricing at $19. Tickets are on sale for a limited time, so be sure to snag some before they’re gone! Come see how twenty-first century college students embody the “Learn by Doing” spirit and bring to life the political and emotional drama of twelfth-century royals!