Interestingly, Shakespeare’s play almost entirely ignores the signing of the Magna Carta, focusing instead on themes of legitimacy, foreign invasion, and the conflict between the monarchy and the papacy.
Jo Stone-Fewings (King John), Alex Waldmann (The Bastard), Laurence Belcher (Arthur), and Barbara Marten (Constance). King John (2015) - Plot - IMDb King John(2015)
Staged in 2015, the production coincided with the octocentenary of the . focusing instead on themes of legitimacy
The production highlighted the "anguished mother’s grief" through the character of Constance, while young Prince Arthur (played by Laurence Belcher ) was depicted as a slight, perfect victim of the cruel adult world. Thematic Context: The 2015 Significance Alex Waldmann (The Bastard)
The cast was led by in the title role, portraying a king who begins with "impish glee" at his coronation but gradually becomes a marginalized, doomed figure.