I’d been listening to nice issues about this present known as Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern when it was taking part in in New York Metropolis. It’s an interactive improv present constructed round a D&D-style journey that’s alleged to take the viewers on a wild, unpredictable trip.
I’ve by no means performed Dungeons & Dragons. Once I was a child, a bunch of my buddies performed, nevertheless it at all times appeared sort of difficult and time-consuming, and I used to be far more into TV and comedian books. However after I noticed the present was coming to the Balboa Theater, I knew I wished to test it out.
And I’m glad I did, as a result of from begin to end, it was tremendous enjoyable.
The present has 5 forged members: the Dungeon Grasp, Connor Marx; the Tavern Keeper, R. Alex Murray (basically the foundations grasp and scorekeeper); and three gamers who tackle the colours Crimson (RJ Christian), Blue (Jasmin Malave), and Inexperienced (Anjali Bhimani, who is simply scheduled for 2 performances on this run).
Once you stroll into the theater, you get a coloured sticker representing your participant and a QR code you scan earlier than the present begins. All through the night time, you’ll be answering questions in your cellphone, making decisions, choosing objects, and deciding your character’s destiny. The story and even the ending adjustments each efficiency, which I can solely think about is extremely enjoyable for the forged. I used to do an improv present like this, and the fun of by no means actually realizing what’s going to occur at all times saved me on my toes. I’m positive it’s the identical for them.
This explicit story sends the characters on a quest throughout a number of lands, battling creatures and attempting to soundly attain the opposite aspect.
Like I stated, I’ve by no means performed D&D, and after a fast survey at first, apparently half the viewers hadn’t both. But it surely didn’t matter in any respect. The forged summed up the foundations in about two minutes, and the way in which they defined it made all the pieces really feel actually easy. And actually, even when somebody didn’t absolutely get it, it wasn’t an enormous deal as a result of the present is so interactive and genuinely humorous.
Every little thing is saved transferring by Marx, the Dungeon Grasp, who’s liable for retaining the story collectively, ensuring the viewers is aware of what’s occurring, and even taking part in a number of characters all through the night time. He was actually spectacular, in a position to clarify difficult stuff in layman’s phrases whereas nonetheless being entertaining and humorous.
The whole forged had been terrific improvisers, fast on their ft and hilarious in their very own methods. Inexperienced (Bhimani), who performed a goblin in my present, was a standout, although I’m keen to confess some bias since she was “my” character for the night time and I discovered myself watching her a bit extra carefully.
I’d say about half the viewers confirmed up in Dungeons & Dragons gear or full-on costumes, and based mostly on what I heard all through the present, they knew precisely what was occurring. They’d name out what decisions the characters ought to make (or shouldn’t), cheering them on or groaning when issues went sideways. That degree of viewers involvement is a part of what made the entire thing a lot enjoyable.
I actually can’t say sufficient good issues about it. Test it out when you get the possibility, even when you’ve by no means rolled a 20-sided die in your life.
Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern is presently taking part in on the Balboa Theatre. For more information and tickets: Broadway San Diego
