More traditional in approach Northern Broadsides presentation of this less well known play attracted a slightly more middle aged audience. King John is pure history with an intriguing story line. Rival kings vying for each other’s land. Sons, illegitimate or not get mixed up in the ensuing plots and counter plots. Queens becoming involved for different reasons.

Once again this talented company of actors gave a superb performance. The team effort was led by Fine Time Fontayne as King John who competed with Geoffrey Leesley as Philip, King of France for the kingdom of England. The sound of loud drums were used with good effect to symbolise battle and showed how sound can lift a production from the mundane.

The plot could have become very confused had in not been for the stylised clothes displaying battle colours. Further confusion arose with a casting error when Arthur played by Adam Sutherland throws himself to his death and then turned up as Prince Henry to be crowned as Henry III king of England ; a different looking actor would have helped avoid confusion.

Not one of the author’s best plays, which accounts for it not being much seen. The many words tend to make this a boring play, too concerned with history to be of much interest to a theatre audience looking for entertainment.

However, an entertaining evening was provided by this company satisfying the audience who rewarded the actors with their applause. © BA

“King John” is in Scarborough from the 26th until the 30th of March, 2001. Then on the following dates and venues at April 2 - 3 Rheged Discovery Centre, Cumbria, April 6 - 7 Indoor Riding Stables, Thoresby Park, Notts, April 9 - 21 West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, April 23 - 28 Barrow in Furness Sixth Form College, April 30 - May 6 Coliseum Theatre, Oldham, May 7 - 12 Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds, May 14 - 19 New Vic Theatre, Stock on Trent, may 22 - 26 South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell, May 28 - June 2 Draiocht Centre for Arts, Dublin, June 5 - 9 An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, June 11 - 13 Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo, June 14 - 23 Dunamaise Theatre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, June 18 - 23 Everyman Palace, Cork.