Review // King John

[projekktor id=’18406′]

King John might not be one of the bards most recognizable works but the political drama about an eccentric King and his quest to keep the throne is an intriguing one. King John is the cinematic version of the Stratford Festival’s staging last season and is presented in Cineplex theatres on April 9^th & 12^th as part of Stratford Festival HD & Cineplex Front Row Centre.

King John (Tom McCamus) (the same historical figure who is more popularly known in the context of Robin Hood’s nemesis Prince John) has established himself as the King of England following the death of his brother, King Richard I The Lion Heart. However, the legitimacy of King John’s reign is called into question by Constance, the mother of John’s nephew Arthur. Arthur is the legitimate heir of John’s older brother Geoffrey, who himself would be next in line to throne had he not died before Richard. The teenaged Arthur has the forces of France behind him and it is up to King John to fight, negotiate and double cross both friends and foes in order to maintain the crown.

With the popularity of shows like Game of Thrones and House of Cards, King John takes advantage of audience demand for political scandal.

Steeped in history King John is a politically intriguing play – and since it is so rarely produced this production offers something of a novelty experience. To be fair there’s a reason King John’s rarely staged, unlike other political works by Shakespeare, John relies heavily on the cunning and unhinged character of John pulling the story forwards. There isn’t a supernatural force, a gnawing conscience or even the revelry of war. John makes a decision and then weasels his way out of the consequences. As a character he doesn’t change much, though his situation morphs considerably.  Shakespeare is known to drive his monarchs into madness, but while others sadly succumb to it, John embraces it. It’s John’s constant madness that really drives this production.

McCamus is delightful in the lead role. His King John is crazy like a fox, he’s equal parts smart as he is idiotic.  Seana McKenna delivers a strong performance as John’s adversary Constance – equally cunning but driven by her maternal desires much like Patricia Collins’ Queen Eleanor. Graham Abbey’s Philip acts as a bridge between the audience and the events that unfold on stage – often times breaking the fourth wall during his monologues. Philip is King Richard’s bastard son and John’s confidant, he also narrates the play and offers comic relief. The camera loves Abbey, his wanderings and musing work as transitions and play beautifully for the screen as much as they do for the stage.

Stratford did a great job bringing King John to a modern audience. With the popularity of shows like Game of Thrones and House of Cards, King John takes advantage of audience demand for political scandal. John “the usurper” plots to murder his own nephew in order to legitimately secure the title he already holds. Meanwhile he starts a war with France, loses his ally Spain and angers the Pope. That’s King John in a nut shell. It’s a pretty fun watch and that can’t be said for many of Shakespeare’s history plays.

Reviewed by Vithiya Murugadas.