Review by Cynthia Ning
The long-standing 70s fantasy tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons celebrates its 50th anniversary and makes its Australian theatrical debut at the Sydney Opera House. It follows popular show runs from Philadelphia, New York, and Broadway in Chicago (created and conceived by David Andrew Laws, Sarah Davis Reynolds, and David Carpenter).
Excited patrons of all ages dressed as their favourite fantasy characters, eagerly anticipating what terrain and magical items will be at their heroes’ disposal.
As the bell rang and everyone moved towards the entrance, we were asked to choose one of three coloured stickers, which would be used throughout the show. The set design was impressive, having been meticulously prepared with smart ceiling lights, a large interactive screen (with strategically placed cameras featuring dice rolls), and distinctly coloured costumes and props. Thanks to the labour of love from the creative team, we were truly transported into another dimension.
Dungeon Master William Kasper greeted the audience members with a warm welcome, introducing his fellow players with enthusiasm and explaining the rules of the game clearly so everyone would be on the same page. As a new player, I learnt that Nat 1 meant a critical failure and Nat 20 meant a critical success.
The Twenty-Sided Tavern welcomes all strangers from lands far and wide, but don’t take the Tavern Keeper (Zoë Harlen) for a fool, she remembers each face that passes through those doors, ensures every player follows the rules and keeps tabs on each swig they take when a Nat 1 is rolled.
Our party included the lively and flirtatious Trickster (Trubie-Dylan Smith), the well-read and powerful Spellcaster (Eleanor Stankiewicz) and the fearless yet earnest Warrior (Atlas Adams). The stickers we had chosen indicated which character we coincided with and ultimately, influenced the decisions they would take throughout the game.
The goal is relatively straightforward, our heroes go on a perilous journey across Waterdeep to defeat the source of evil plaguing the city. Sounds easy, right? Not exactly, as the story is created by audience member's choices with unknown twists and turns that could change the outcome in an instant. The show is a mixed bag of fun, thrill and adventure, with no two nights being alike.
Guided by William and Zoë, all adventurers were invited to participate through the QR code page, giving us a selection of questions and mini-games. This interactive feature bolstered comradery and kept the energy up throughout the show. We had to be quick at the draw as some questions had short time limits. I would suggest a screen prompt signalling us to use our phones as we were invested completely in the story that was unfolding before our eyes.
The heart of this role play is the characters themselves and how they interact with each other as new hurdles are thrust upon them, relying on their wit and skillset to survive into the next scene.
Trickster (Trubie) had successfully charmed the pants off himself, his party and his enemies, giving us romance and undeniable chemistry. Fan favourite Spellcaster (Eleanor) had big ambitions and an equally big personality, showing a side of vulnerability and relatability. Warrior (Atlas) proved his strength through his might, caring for his party members by giving golden words of encouragement. Dungeon Master William impressed, slipping in and out of characters while juggling storytelling.
They embodied their selected characters enthusiastically, fully immersing into their roles with distinct accents and unique body movements. The players worked seamlessly together, improving lines and bantering with audience members whilst doing dexterity checks. A huge feat that they all do effortlessly.
Even though our journey had concluded, failing to defeat the final boss, we gained something even more valuable, the power of friendship. Suffice it to say, the production team, cast and crew rolled a Nat 20 on this one.
This is theatre and fantasy role play spliced into one magical evening, inviting you to take the chance, roll the dice and test your luck.
The limited season will be here until the 8th of March 2025, so gather your party for the one-off quest and bottomless drinks. Ale & Well Met!
Image Credit: Daniel Boud