King - John(2015)

Reviewers noted that the play felt particularly modern, exploring the actions of a capricious leader refusing to relinquish power and the heavy toll of "bad management and bad luck" on a nation. Production Credits Director: James Dacre Composer: Orlando Gough

The production highlighted the "anguished mother’s grief" through the character of Constance, while young Prince Arthur (played by Laurence Belcher ) was depicted as a slight, perfect victim of the cruel adult world. Thematic Context: The 2015 Significance King John(2015)

Staged in 2015, the production coincided with the octocentenary of the . Reviewers noted that the play felt particularly modern,

Alex Waldmann played Philip the Bastard, the play’s moral center and "hero." His performance was noted for its energy and wit, serving as the essential spokesman for English unity. Alex Waldmann played Philip the Bastard, the play’s

The cast was led by in the title role, portraying a king who begins with "impish glee" at his coronation but gradually becomes a marginalized, doomed figure.

Interestingly, Shakespeare’s play almost entirely ignores the signing of the Magna Carta, focusing instead on themes of legitimacy, foreign invasion, and the conflict between the monarchy and the papacy.

Jo Stone-Fewings (King John), Alex Waldmann (The Bastard), Laurence Belcher (Arthur), and Barbara Marten (Constance). King John (2015) - Plot - IMDb