The play The Lion In Winter, a historic tale of a Royal family in crisis, was given the big screen treatment in 1968 in a film starring Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn as warring couple Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

It was also Anthony Hopkins’ film debut, playing the soon to be Richard I.

Now the Lace Market Theatre is tackling James Goldman’s play in their 2015 King John season.

“After last year's success with Anne Boleyn, we are going back a dynasty to portray one of history's most famous families at war,” says director Gordon Parsons.

The Lion In Winter shows the best and worst of the monarchy and features a cast of seven.

Henry II, generally regarded as one of England's most successful monarchs, has been keeping a lid on Europe's warring factions. His political control is legendary – as his lack of control over his family.

It is this family which is at the heart of the play.

Says Gordon: “Mother hasn't seen her sons for years; that's because her husband has been keeping her in prison for the last ten years.”

Mother is Eleanor of Aquitaine and both see their sons as opportunities for land acquisition and bitterly play one off against another.

“He's also made her step-daughter his mistress while offering her in marriage to one of his sons, but he's not sure which.

“His eldest son is to become Richard I, the Lionheart, famed for his courage in the Crusades. His youngest is to become King John, who made The Magna Carta necessary.

“Another ingredient is Henry and Eleanor's brightest son, Geoffrey, a hypocrite in everything who ingratiates himself with his father's arch enemy, the King of France.”

He adds: “The play contains all the necessary ingredients for both tragedy and farce. The Plantagenet Henry can control a large chunk of Europe but he cannot control his own eccentric family.

“It is a funny, hugely enjoyable and at times a moving history lesson."

The play, a precursor to the main event - Shakespeare's King John, which will run at the theatre in Halifax Place in April - is an irreverent study of the early days of the Plantagenets who, according to a recent BBC television documentary, were Britain's “Bloodiest Dynasty”.

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