KING JOHN
Category
Play
Country
United Kingdom
Run Dates
Dec 13, 2001 - Feb 19, 2002
Venue
Run Time
180 minutes
Run Dates
2001.12.13 ~ 2002.02.19
Barbican Centre
London Premiere
2001.03.28
RSC
World Premiere
About the show
Director Gregory Doran treated the play as a political satire which chimed with contemporary scepticism about politics and spin-doctoring. Emphasising the dark comedy, the sparse set consisted of a bleached throne on a black wooden stage. Guy Henry was a shifty and petulant King John in a world of treachery and changing alliances. Dignity was comically undermined when Henry, late for his entrance, left the throne literally vacant before rushing on stage and hurriedly putting on his crown. The death of young Arthur was both moving and stunningly staged: the boy walked along the rail of the top gallery in the Swan Theatre and then appeared to fall to the ground from 18 feet (5.5 metres) with a sickening thud.
