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WIMBORNE DRAMA Tivoli Theatre Wimborne February 2003 
IT was a pity that more people did not make the effort to attend this production, which brought aspects of Henry II’s reign to life in an effective and surprisingly humorous way. Perhaps they were afraid the content would be too heavy, but nothing could have been further from the truth.
A deliberately sparse set hung with tapestries was all that was needed to represent Henry’s castle at Chinon during Christmas 1183, and the continuous action flowed easily despite rather too many prompts needed by the two principal characters.
Barry Baynton’s direction skilfully conveyed the dual aspects of petty family jealousies and the more serious fight for supremacy, and his cast rose well to the challenge.
Mark Ellen’s strong-willed, devious Henry proved a perfect foil for Margaret Pope’s equally manipulative Eleanor, with her excellent timing emphasising her character’s frequent bons mots to perfection.The diverse personalities of sons Richard, Geoffrey and John were strongly portrayed in the fine performances of Tony Feltham, Tom Williams and Joe Bell, and the cast was completed by Boo Feltham as Henry’s mistress, Alais, and Fred Tyson-Brown, speaking a little too quickly to be entirely audible, as Philip, King of France. Linda Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo 
The Lion in Winter - by James Goldman Tivoli Theatre - 12-15 February 2003 Henry II - Mark Ellen Alais - Boo Feltham John - Joe Bell Geoffrey - Tom Williams Richard - Tony Feltham Eleanor - Margaret Pope Philip - Fred Tyson-Brown Director - Barry Baynton Company Stage Manager - Jackson Kingham Design - Amanda Brown Lighting & Sound - Russell Parker & - Don Sherry / Tivoli Theatre Costumes - Carolyn Hewitt and - Caroline Uwins Theatre Stage Manager - Ashley Thorne The photographs are as follows: 1. Alais and Geoffrey 2. Henry and Eleanor 3. Henry, Philip and John 4. Richard and Eleanor |
