According to press materials, a family Christmas becomes a family at war. Henry II, not so young as he was, invites his estranged wife Eleanor of Aquitane, and his three sons, Richard, Geoffrey and John, to spend the festive season with him, his mistress Princess Alais, and her brother, the young King Philip of France. Will Henry name who is to be his successor as King of England? Their yuletide celebration turns into a combat zone of deceit, betrayal, bitter power games and scabrous wit.
Lindsay was previously seen at the Haymarket playing the title role of Cyrano de Bergerac. Other major theatre roles include Archie Rice in The Entertainer at the Old Vic, the title role in Richard III at the Savoy Theatre, Fagin in Oliver! at the Palladium (winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical) and Me and My Girl (Olivier and Tony Awards). Most recently he played the title role in Onassis at the Novello Theatre. Lindsay can currently be seen as Ben Harper in the BBC television series "My Family" playing opposite Zoë Wanamaker. His other television credits include "The Trial of Tony Blair," "Extras," and "GBH," for which he won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor. His films include "Wimbledon," "Divorcing Jack" and "Remember Me."
Lumley is best known for playing Patsy Stone in the award-winning BBC television series "Absolutely Fabulous." Previously her television appearances included Purdy in "The New Avengers" as well as major roles in "Sapphire and Steel," "Jam and Jerusalem" and "Sensitive Skin." Following a run in the West End, Lumley recently made her Broadway debut in La Bête, for which she was Tony-nominated. Her other UK theatre credits include Madame Ranevsky in The Cherry Orchard for Sheffield Theatres, Gertrude Lawrence in Noel and Gertie for the King’s Head, Elvira in Blithe Spirit at the Vaudeville Theatre, as well as roles in The Letter for the Lyric Hammersmith and the title role in Hedda Gabler at Dundee Rep. Her other screen appearances include "Shirley Valentine," "Trail of the Pink Panther" and "Curse of the Pink Panther" and, more recently, she starred opposite Ben Kingsley as Mrs. Lovett in "The Tale of Sweeney Todd," "Mad Cows," "Maybe Baby," and she was the voice of Aunt Spiker in "James and the Giant Peach." Author of several best-selling books and human rights and animal welfare activist, Lumley recently headed a successful campaign in recognition of the Gurkhas. Lumley was awarded an OBE in 1995.
As artistic director of the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, Nunn is currently represented by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and has previously directed Flare Path there. Prior to The Lion in Winter, he will direct Ralph Fiennes as Prospero in The Tempest at the Haymarket.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 0845 481 1870, or visit www.trh.co.uk for more details.
