King John

NAU Theatre’s 2017-2018 Season: Past and Present

George Bernard Shaw wrote, “We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.” This season, we look at four plays that reveal that the past is staring us down, and, even more, that we are poised to repeat it. Theatre is said to transport, to transform and to tickle our fancy, and we hope this season of stories will take you on a road trip through our past while allowing you to keep an eye on our present.  As journalist and historian Leslie Chang says, “The past has been there all along, reminding us: this time–maybe, hopefully, against all odds–we will get it right.” Perhaps the stories we have chosen to tell this season will help our future selves to “get it right.”

King John by William Shakespeare, Directed by Christina Gutierrez Dennehy

William Shakespeare\’s King John tells the story of one of England\’s least popular kings (whom audiences may remember as Prince John from the Robin Hood stories), and his attempts to hold on to his crown in the face of widespread corruption and public unrest. A study in the disastrous effects of ineffective leadership, King John combines sword fighting, powerful female characters, and moments of both poignant tragedy and dark humor. Although it tells the story of a medieval king, King Johnprovides a mirror to our own world, asking questions about who deserves power, and who has the ability to keep it.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

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