From 12th Night to a jousting fight, dinner theaters offer knights to remember
After Hours
by Ralph McGill Jr.
May 1, 2008
Looking for some live entertainment that doesn't require youto dress up or put on your dancing
shoes? Atlanta offers some wonderful dinner/theater options that are perfect for a family,a date or
even a corporate sales meeting.If this is truly "the winter of our discontent" and you are
longingfor "a midsummer night's dream" then perhaps, for your taste,"the play's the thing." We
recommend for a delightful evening's entertainment, that you drive right past the 24-screen
multiplex murmuring "what fools those mortals be" and head for an evening featuring the penultimate
practitioner of the English language
– William Shakespeare
Mind you, this is not a stuffy, artsy, dress up in pearls kind ofplay. The New American
Shakespeare Tavern in Midtown at 499Peachtree St., is a come-as-you- are, let-your-hair-down sort
of
place. In fact, it's such a fun place that William himself would feelright at home."It
embodies the spirit of the play as it was presented in Shakespeare's day – with patrons munching on
shepherd's pie and washing it down with good Irish ale, laughing and hooting at the outrageous
antics of jesters and expressing displeasure at the nefarious doings of the villains," says Laura
Cole, director of education and training.
In fact, the tavern offers a variety of รก la carte offerings– everything from soups to
desserts. And, while we won't guarantee that shepherd's pie will be on the menu, we're sure that
the largeselection of ale would please Falstaff.
"This is an evening that will appeal to all ages – in fact weregularly take Shakespeare out
to where the students are, in areas chools – and this entices many to come to special evenings or
afternoons designed especially for young people," she says.
Plays on tap for this year include Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer's Night
Dream, and Romeo and Juliet, which is always a sell-out. If you find yourself intimidated by the
prospect of missing the meaning of archaic language, "fear not!" says Artistic Director Jeff
Watkins. "You will feel the actors' excitement, experience their stories with them, and in true
Elizabethan fashion, you will always be
included in the joke," he says.
Okay, if you prefer your historical pageantry to be a little more residential in the location
and a little less verbal, we recommend a jaunt to Medieval Times, a large pseudo stone castle
perched improbably at one corner of the Discover Mills shopping center in Lawrenceville. Upon
entering the facility, you are given your cardboard crown and your picture is taken with the
princess. Inside you see a horseshoe of tiered tables, all facing what might be characterized as a
medieval rodeo arena, where the riding, jousting and fighting take place before your very eyes.
At one end of the arena is a stage where King Alfonso and his courtiers hold court. The king
raises a flagon and declares that the games have begun. That's the order for legions of serving
wenches and serfs to deliver four courses to hungry guests in minutes. The meal begins with a hunk
of garlic bread and a bowl of hot vegetable soup slopped out of a bucket into pewter bowls; then
comes roasted chicken, spare rib (singular), a seasoned potato, and an apple pie stick, which is
the pastry of the Castle. Two rounds of soft drinks are included with the feast, although a cash
bar is available.
To the delight – or dismay of the guests – the feast is served"medieval style" – without
silverware, but with plenty of extra napkins. Note: The roast chicken is actually fingerlicking
good. While the sumptuous feast is being served, the kingdom is threatened by treachery but
ultimately strengthened b the courage that unfolds in the Grand Ceremonial Arena. To prove their
allegiance to the king and, perhaps, win the hand of Princess Esperanza, the knights perform
amazing feats of skill and precision while riding Andalusian horses at full blast and maneuvering a
lance to capture flags and rings as well as place the lance on a bull's eye. The knights all have
their own cheering sections, and part of the fun is rooting for your knight as he (in full armor)
charges at another knight with both knights armed with 10-foot lances.
Of course, the purpose is to unseat the knight, and once that is accomplished, a sword fight
ensues with all the comic elements of a wrestling match or a Robin Hood movie directed by Mel
Brooks.
The audience at Medieval Times was certainly a mixed bag. From couples celebrating their
anniversaries to young children having birthday parties, it was obvious that the show is striking a
chord with those who want
to participate in the action and enjoy a different kind of evening out.
