The Life and Death of King John by William Shakespeare

ADC Theatre, 10th - 14th July 2001 Hot on the heels of their acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet at the Arts Theatre (**** - TCS; 'Imaginative, effortless, this was a production that sparkled' - Varsity), the Marlowe serves up a second helping of Shakespeare. This time it's the less well known King John, performed as part of Cambridge's Octocentenary celebrations in association with Cambridge City Council. The crown of England must pass by hereditary right unless a man with authority can seize it. And so John does, from his young nephew, Arthur: the cries of the usurper ringing loud and true from across the Channel, where Philip King of France prepares to make war on England. But England's burdens have only just begun. The bastard son of Richard the Lionheart suddenly arrives at the court, John's nobles rebel, a reckless Dauphin invades Englans, and a sinister papal emissary spurs them all on. King John offers a sharp satire on morality, war and politics as a wrangle for the crown of England intensifies, and the right royal protaganists resort to trickery and murder. Director's Notes Synopsis