Although I signed up for the show and bought tickets in advance, I have to admit that I went into the show with a bit of trepidation. What would a D&D theatre show be like? I don’t like livestreams or web series that purport to portray an actual D&D session in play (mainly because it feels artificial and tiresome), so would such a show work for me?
It did. It was absolutely amazing. Post show, I went out to buy a Player’s Handbook (the new 2024 version) (I got the expensive alternate cover version too) and some The Twenty-Sided Tavern merch. I felt so inspired to play D&D. I felt that this was my tribe, that the people behind the show really played the game, were real fans (or at least supporters) of D&D, were truly professional as an actors and paid D&D players/DMs.
This, to me, was an authentic experience. I want to go again.
Synopsis
The Twenty-Sided Tavern is a theatre show that combines an actual D&D game (with dice rolls and actual character deaths) with improv and audience interaction. Audiences are divided into three groups for each of the three main player characters – Warrior, Mage, and Trickster – and get to vote player character choices through their phones.
Resident Director: Michael Fell
Story Developer: Dagl
Cast:
- Conner Marx (Dungeon Master)
- Alex Stompoly (Tavern Keeper/Rules Lawyer)
- Felicia Day (Mage)
- Diego F. Salinas (Warrior)
- Madelyn Murphy (Trickster)
The authenticity of it all
I can’t begin to describe how authentic Twenty-Sided Tavern feels as a D&D player. Yes, it’s a high budget theatre show, so the production values are excellent. Yes, it has professional actors who know how to engage the audience. Yes, it’s been through many rehearsals. But notwithstanding all that, there’s still a live element to it (in that yes, a character died during the show). They’re obviously looking at proper character sheets (which we don’t really get to see, because character sheets do not make for an interesting show). They obviously know the rules and what they can do. It all combines to make the show feel so much more genuine – unlike any other “televised” D&D play session I’ve watched before.
I’m not a fan of livestreams and web series that are about an actual Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) session in play. Firstly, I’m not into videos that are not scripted narratives. Secondly, I find that that the “banter” is often very tiresome and inauthentic. Thirdly, I often find that the cast can be incredibly lacking in intelligence, charisma, and actual D&D rules knowledge. Fourthly, it lacks the visual element that really makes D&D games come to life (for me) – I don’t really see the difference between a video series or a radio series, if there aren’t any visual elements. Fifthly, those sessions absolutely don’t feel like an authentic D&D game to me – they feel like a bunch of people acting like they’re playing D&D to me, so why wouldn’t I just go play D&D myself?
Rant aside, The Twenty-Sided Tavern doesn’t have any of that. I think that’s why I liked it so much, why I feel it’s so genuine and true. It feels like it was produced with heart, and that can be seen with every element of the performance.
The improv is spot on
For the purpose of a coherent narrative, it’s clear that the plot of the show has to stick to certain beats and it has to progress in a certain way – after all, the heroes must triumph (or die spectacularly) by the show’s end, since it’s not like the audience will come back again to see the conclusion. But even with this structure in place, many decisions are left up to chance. For instance, die rolls determine the outcome (success or failure) of the player character’s actions. Audience interaction also determines what the characters do next. There are a fair number of random events that occur, giving the cast a chance (or forcing them, depending on your perspective) to improvise.
And improvise they do. They’re all top notch improv artists for sure, and it’s stunning to see how they manage to roll with everything that comes their way and create fun, dynamic, and interesting interactions that help propel the story forward.
Audience interaction is brilliant
There’s the aforementioned app for the audience interaction. It’s not just voting – there’s also some frantic button mashing (and then later, when you’re used to it, some form of evolved button mashing). There’s also a sort of memory game, but we the audience managed to game it a little, so we could all win. Haha.
But the best part is that they actually pull audience members to the stage multiple times to help the player characters. Audience members have to play some game, roleplay, or be involved in some sort of activity to either give the player characters a bonus on their rolls, or to help them succeed. It makes the setting so much more intimate, and the theatre that much more immersive.
Madelyn Murphy is the scene stealer as the Trickster
Madelyn Murphy absolutely kills it as the Trickster in the performance. You know what a Trickster is – a Rogue – but what was hilarious was that she rolled with the character choice the audience made for her and played a Trickster pretending to be a wizard, completely with fake beard, robes, and wand. She was a hoot! And even taking aside her class persona, she was brilliant at improvising with all the unexpectedness that came about. It’s a pity there wasn’t an aftershow meet-and-greet – would have loved to thank her in person for the performance
You get stickers
Oh right, you also get stickers. So at the beginning of the show, stickers are hidden in your Playbill. There are three stickers corresponding to the different characters – Warrior, Mage, and Trickster. Whichever sticker you pick is the player character that you’re aligned with for the rest of the show. You get to decide what happens to them and some of their choices.
As you can tell, that sticker is now on my laptop. Magic and manipulation. My tribe at last.
Should you watch it?
If you like improv or D&D, I highly recommend The Twenty-Sided Tavern. It’s one of the most entertaining shows I’ve watched on and off Broadway, and it blends all the elements that I like about both improv and D&D into one interactive experience. I hope they come to Singapore one day – it would be an absolutely amazing experience.
Score: 9/10
The Twenty-Sided Tavern is currently running at Stage 42, in New York City.
This review is for the 19 September, 2024 show, which featured Felicia Day in her short stint as the Mage. The regular Mage is played by Jasmin Malaye.
Leave a Reply