Ever wonder what it was like to be a Knight of the Round? Want to see jousting and sword fights up close and personal? Then prepare for a feast at Medieval Times and gasp at a variety of tricks.
From horses that bow, dance and leap in the air, to a hawk that zips barely over the heads of people in the audience, the Myrtle Beach Medieval Times dinner theatre will amaze you in a variety of ways. Brightly colored knights compete to overcome the king's enemy and be the top Knight of the Round. Protect the princess's honor, gallop at top speeds, and fight to protect the kingdom from troubles.
Jousting is standard, but they kick it up a notch, opting for hand-to-hand combat, using a variety of weapons, from swords to swinging long handled axes and mace. Knights tumble from their horses, and this alone requires a lot of skill, as it's not just about landing right, but making sure not to get trampled. The knights make it look easy, leaping up, having their page or squire hand them a weapon, and launching into an intense fight with weapons sparking and splintering into pieces that fly apart.
What's surprising is that most of the knights we talked to after the show admitted they did not have horse experience before joining the show. They were not spoiled kids from wealthy families with horses; most were average guys with a history in martial arts and fighting. Of course, they had to train for years before becoming a knight, most training at least two hours on a horse every single day.
One knight confessed, “you'd think we'd get sick of the animals, after working with them so much. Truth be told, if we have a day off, we miss them. When I get back to work, I'll grab a brush, groom them and love on them, because they become part of your life, like a close friend, and you miss them.”
The breathtaking tricks the knights do on the horses are amazing. It's hard to believe they have not been riding since they were little. Hard work and dedication is extremely evident in the performance.
Most knights start out as pages and squires while training with the horses. It gives them a chance to familiarize themselves with the show and the animals, while still being part of the complex program. Throughout the show, pages and squires are seen running around the arena, doing not so glorious jobs like scooping, as well as getting straight into the action of sword fighting with enemy pages.
The knights will make most women swoon. If their charming looks are not enough, they pass out flowers to lucky audience members. Their muscular physique reminds that horse riding is hard work.
Of course, the women of the show also play an important role. Working with a hawk like it is an old family friend, one woman commands the ominous animal. Swooping around the arena, doing figure eights, landing on her arm, it is surprising to see an animal with a deadly reputation playing like a child.
Bar keeps make the rounds with glowing glasses, which light up in the darkened arena. Wenches serve multiple courses of a feast fit for a king and his court. Garlic bread and tomato bisque soup start the meal, with the main course consisting of half of a roasted chicken, spare rib, herb-basted potato, soda, and an apple puff pastry pie for dessert, which has a cinnamon topping and is quite delicious.
Don't expect any silverware with your meal. It hasn't been invented yet. Plan on using your fingers.
The hardest part is trying to eat while there are so many exciting things happening that you don't want to take your eyes off of what is happening in front of you. Lances splinter upon impact, Espadas are used on horseback with a shield, and the epic sword fights end with a Mandoble giving the final blow. The point on the back of the Alabarda stabs into enemies, the spiked ball on the bola strikes, and the Mace easily crushes through the armor of enemies, due to the pointed wight atop the wooden shaft.
Each guest is given a knight to cheer for, and each knight has allies. The Black and White Knight is the ally of the Yellow Knight, for example. Their competition includes the Blue Knight, and others.
Who will you cheer for? Show support by adding a Twibbon on your Twitter or Facebook page. Don't forget to check the website for deals, such as this month's deal that children eat for only $9.95.
You never know when you might be pulled into the show. One lucky lady will even be chosen as Queen of the Court. Enjoy the meet-and-greet dance party after the show, as well as a dungeon tour.
For more information, visit www.medievaltimes.com, and check out the games on the page, such as the new game, Crush the Castle and the Medieval Times Dragon Shot game. Don't forget to sign up for the King's Court. This is a special invitation to join Medieval Times for free on your birthday, with the purchase of another ticket, which allows for a birthday feast that you will not soon forget.
Marisa Williams is the author of 100 books. She received her Master's in Writing from the Johns Hopkins University. For more on Marisa, visit www.lulu.com/spotlight/thorisaz and www.wix.com/thorisaz/photography.
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