A sibling rivalry, betrayal, and scheming in the dungeons — The Lion in Winter by James Goldman roars with wit and passion. Both comedic and dramatic, this modern classic plunges us into the turbulent world of the Plantagenets. At its centre is Eleanor of Aquitaine — the brilliant, imprisoned queen and richest woman in the world — who is released for Christmas only to spar with her formidable husband, King Henry II. As their sons claw for the crown and lovers complicate loyalties, the royal family turns yuletide cheer into a war of words, wills, and power. After all, as Eleanor wryly observes: “Every family has its ups and downs...”
