`LION IN WINTER' HEATS UP STAGE : THE FACTS:.

Byline: Victoria Giraud People and Places

History can be lots of fun, especially when it's ``The Lion in Winter'' on stage at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center through Sunday.

This biting, witty comedy - an ironic look at an English royal family - takes place in 1183. Listening to the barbs thrown by Henry II, his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their three children - Richard Lionheart, Geoffrey and John - one might be reminded of other, modern-day royal families.

Sometimes the play gets a bit confusing with its twists and turns as each player struggles to outwit and outmaneuver the other, but the wit keeps coming as this very dysfunctional family vents its frustrations.

Henry (a consummate performance by David Ralphe) and Eleanor (eloquently played by Linda Livingston), his wife of 31 years, are struggling over the English succession. Henry favors his whiny, youngest son John (Alan Sam Glasband) while Eleanor is determined that the warmongering and oldest son Richard (the provocative Douglas Coler) be the next king.

Their middle son, Geoffrey, (a skillful performance by Steven Harad) connives for what spoils he can get by playing one brother against the other. To add to the devious game playing there's Philip, the visiting King of France (adroitly rendered by Kevin Beard) who's there to see that England's treaty with France is adhered to. This king is young but experience quickly has taught him to be wily.

Henry, who is one of the most powerful kings since Charlemagne and rules over England and part of France, is the master player. Eleanor has borne him eight children, but her constant civil wars against him have landed her in permanent lock-up in an English castle. She is allowed to visit his French castle once a year at Christmas. In the meantime, he consoles himself with the devoted Alais (the charming Stephanie Lowe), a French princess who eventually is supposed to be married to Richard.

As the members of this fascinating but egocentric family scheme and plot, we learn a bit of history - enough to discern, as the French say, ``the more things change, the more they remain the same.'' Besides, how can kings and queens be expected to be good parents as well as good rulers? All those things a childhood lacks come back to haunt the parents when those ignored little ones grow up and gain power of their own.

In the end, despite their rages and jabs at each other, we come to see that Harry and Eleanor have an affection and a bond between them. Best of all, they are both quite likable.

Come and take a look; this is a very entertaining play well-directed by Gerald Castillo.

WHAT: ``The Lion In Winter'' by James Goldman.

WHEN: Today and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley.

COST: $15 for adults, $12 seniors, $8 children under 12.

INFORMATION: [phone].