The second offering of our Shakespeare in the Parks turns to a rarely done but action packed history play, King John. More famous in the US for his signing of the Magna Carta, the play of "King John" unfolds as more political allegory than dry history with humor, family tragedy and expansive sword play. In 12 Century England King John, brother of Richard the Lion Heart fights to maintain his throne against his young nephew Arthur, the rightful heir to throne and the King of France. The show follows how personal and political ambition endangers that which is most dear through the eyes of John's court and the wiseacre musings of the Bastard, another of John's nephew.
PR shot for "King John"..King John (James Pravasilis) plots to maintain his throne against his nephew Arthur and his sister-in-law Constance.
In the show's opening scene: King John (James Pravasilis) and his powerful mother Elinor of Aquataine (Michelle Robinson) receive the envoy of France who claime that John's nephew Arthur is the right heir to England's throne. Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ. Photo by Katherine McPherson.
The Bastard (Bjorn Pederson), aka the illegitimate nephew of King John, sarcastically muses on the power play of Arthur, his ambitious mother Constance, the King of France and his own newly adopted family. Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ. Photo by Katherine McPherson.
Constance (Tzena Nicole, Center) firmly stands with her son Arthur (Kindel Ingham) and the Duke of Austria (Jon Ciccarelli, left) upon the arrival of King John's forces at the disputed town of Angiers. Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ. Photo by Katherine McPherson.
In the battle for Angiers, the Bastard (Bjorn Pederson) and Lewis, the Prince of France (Jesse Stewart) engage in a pivitol sword fight.Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ. Photo by Katherine McPherson.
A tentative peace is reached as Lady Blance of Spain (Sharon Pinches) is married off to the Prince of France and denying Arthur the throne. Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ. Photo by Katherine McPherson.
Cardinal Pandulph (Tom Hedlund, right) arrives to demand tribute of King John but the king refuses and denounces the Pope. Pandulph demands that the King of France (Lawrence Frank, center) break the peace and return to war. The King of France tries to maintain the fragile peace. Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ. Photo by Katherine McPherson.
Constance (Tzena Nicole) seeks solace from the Cardinal (Tom Hedlund) as Arthur is caputred by King John's forces. Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ. Photo by Katherine McPherson.
