STC Academy: King John

King John, Directed by Aaron Posner, By William Shakespeare

Power is a tenuous thing in King John, Shakespeare’s fierce, fast-moving tale of political gamesmanship, shifting loyalties, and fragile legitimacy. As England’s rivals jostle for the crown, John claws to keep control—facing off against rebellious nobles, a bold French king, and even his own nephew’s claim. Deals are struck, oaths are broken, and war looms large, but in the end, it’s not just armies or titles that decide who holds power—it’s who survives the fallout. A rarely staged gem packed with powerful language and sky-high stakes.