The Washington Street Theatre

"Lion in Winter” Auditions

 The Olean Theatre Workshop will hold auditions for the its third production of 2007-2008 season "Lion in Winter” written by James Goldman. Auditions will take place 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday January 22 and 23, at the Washington Street Theatre corner of Sixth and Washington Streets in Olean. Actors and those interested in any phase of theater production are invited to attend and sign up. “Lion in Winter” offers roles for two women and five men. Those auditioning are not expected to come with a prepared audition piece or monologue. Instead, all auditioners will cold-read one or more scenes from the play.

 The play is set during Christmas 1183 at Henry Plantagenet's château (castle) and primary residence in Chinon, Anjou, part of the Angevin Empire in present-day France. The story is a work of fiction: there was no Christmas Court at Chinon in 1183, although there had been a Christmas court at Caen in 1182 that brought family members together. None of the dialogue or actions is historic; however, the outcomes of the characters and the background of the story are historically accurate

 The plot center around King Henry II of England who has three sons by Eleanor of Aquitaine: Richard, Geoffrey and John. He wants the kingdom to stay united after his death, but all three sons want to rule and it is likely to be torn apart by revolution. Henry favors the youngest son, John, while Eleanor favors the eldest, Richard. The middle son hopes to play both ends against each other and come out on top. Uneasy is the head on which the crown lies, and uneasy the truce between a matchless king and queen.

 For more information please call 716-373-SHOW or visit us on the web at www.oleanworkhop.org.

Nicholas Patrone

nick@epatco.com

716-373-SHOW