New York City
King John is a rarely produced but highly entertaining political thriller. The ambitious John (Michael Forden Walker) has stolen the throne from his young nephew, Arthur (Khalil Flemming), and is ready to go to war with France to defend his power. The unexpected entrance of Pandulph (John Kuntz), an ambassador from the pope, throws John’s plans off course and sets in motion a series of backroom deals, shifting alliances, and lightning-speed intrigue. The players: capricious rulers, treacherous nobles, Arthur’s desperate mother (Jennie Israel), John’s conniving mother (Janet Morrison), a cheeky royal bastard (Bill Barclay), and, of course, the shifty King John.