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Mason troupe presents ‘The Lion in Winter’

Community players kick off 2009 theater season with story about King Henry II.

Cast of Mason Community Player's production of "The Lion in Winter"

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By Richard O Jones, Staff Writer Updated 7:35 PM Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Mason Community Players Inc. (MCP) begins its 2009 season with James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter,” which follows the scheming, feuding, and political wrangling of the ruling family of King Henry II and depicts the manipulations that occur in the interpersonal relationships among members of this English royal family from the Middle Ages.

“We have been trying a new approach for us,” said director Rebecca McLaughlin, who sees her role as providing an environment for the cast. “The actors researched their characters and then read, discussed, and interpreted their roles for three weeks in a round table format, then they moved into the actual blocking of the play using an organic model.”

Bryan Campbell, who plays the King Henry II, likens the play to a chess match between the king and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, considered the most powerful woman of the Middle Ages, played by Laureen Catlin.

“They each have their own goals and agendas and their plots against each other interweave thought out the play,” Campbell said. “Henry would very much like for his favorite son, John, to be the next King and Eleanor would like her favorite son, Richard. They are very frank about it.”

“Henry and Eleanor plot, scheme, maneuver, throw barbs, use their children as pawns, and turn the love they still have for each other against each other to win the throne for their favorites,” Catlin said. “Toss in the fact that Eleanor is none too happy about the fact that her husband is sleeping with Richard’s betrothed, a young woman she raised and cares for as her own daughter, and it makes for quite the stew.”

“People may lie, cheat and steal to get what they want,” said Jim Cronin, who plays Richard, “but always have to recognize the fact that blood is thicker than water and the love for a child or parent is a hard love to deny.”

The cast also includes Larry Catlin as John, Kevin Bundy as Geoffrey, the forgotten middle son; Randy King as King Philip of France and Kally Addis as Alais, the object of Henry’s affections.

“To further create the world of 1183, Musici Anonymi, A Consort, a musical group from Dayton that specializes in historical music, will play as the audience arrives, and again at the intermission,” McLaughlin said.