DANIEL WONG Horses are featured throughout the
performances at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Castle,
located in Buena Park.
By Barbara McGuire
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Though the thought of eating a meal without utensils may seem
savage, the population of the Middle Ages would’ve starved
had they thought such mannerisms less than polite.
People today, however, can enjoy ancient customs by spending an
evening at the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament castle in
Buena Park. Guests are taken on a journey to 11th century Europe, a
time when the Knights of the Realm were the biggest heroes.
The journey begins as guests are escorted into the seven acre
rendition of a medieval castle. Here, guests can view a variety of
medieval artifacts, such as coats of arms and weaponry, contained
in the Hall of Arms, or be shocked by the contents of the Museum of
Torture, which features items that were used to inflict pain on
people in medieval times.
Eventually, horns can be heard emitting from the Grand
Ceremonial Arena, which seats up to 1,100 people, and as guests
find their comfortably spaced seats, Lord Marshall enters the floor
to serve as a narrator and mediator throughout the evening.
While various equestrian tricks are performed, such as one in
which four horses walk in a zigzag pattern sideways, Lord Marshall
not only talks about what the horses are doing, but explains the
horses’ function during the Middle Ages. Though at times it
may be difficult to understand what is being said, the performance
and accompanying dialogue prove to be entertaining.
 DANIEL WONG At Medieval Times, knights perform and
compete in a Tournament Royale in which each knight fights the
other until death. The last one standing is determined to be the
best fighter. As guests are feasting their eyes on the tricks of
the rare Andalusian horses and master falconer, servers bring out a
medieval pizza-like appetizer and vegetable soup for guests to
feast on.
Soon, after various other engaging tricks and the entrance of
the King and Queen, the drama ensues as the main course of roasted
chicken, spare rib and baked potato is served, all of which must be
eaten with nothing but bare, and hopefully well-washed, hands. The
crowd learns that the castle is under attack by the evil Robert
VIII who wants the king’s life and kingdom in revenge for the
death of his father.
Six of the bravest knights are summoned to perform various
sportsman-like games and a Tournament Royale, in which each knight
is forced to fight the other until death ““ the winner,
henceforth, is assumed the best suited to fight Robert VIII.
Guests are seated in variously colored sections, one for each of
the six knights, and cheers, as well as boos, are boasted loudly as
each knight gallops into the arena on a beautifully decorated
horse. Everything is reproduced as authentically as possible to
match what the items would’ve looked like back in the 11th
century, including the knights’ hair, which is worn past
shoulder length.
The six knights play four games in total, the entire time on
horseback, none of which are competitive against one another. Many
even seem truly difficult. For instance, in one game, the knights
must lance a tiny ring hanging from a pole with a jousting stick.
Others, however, such as a match in which the knights must make a
bull’s-eye with a spear while riding their horse at a rather
quick pace, seem easier to accomplish.
After each round is completed, Lord Marshall announces the
winners, who gallop over to the Queen to receive three carnations
to be thrown into their supporting portion of the arena. Guests go
crazy and even get a little greedy over this, as many pounce and
jump for the flying carnations.
Soon, the fun and games come to an end as the wizard of the
kingdom makes an appearance. He warns the king to quit playing
around, as the evil powers of Robert VIII are growing stronger, and
suggests that it is time to begin the Tournament Royale to find the
best knight.
While killing five knights just to locate the best fighter may
seem extreme, guests should remember that these were the customs of
the Middle Ages. The show continues with the Tournament and guests
are constantly shocked and surprised with the twists and turns the
show takes. The fighting between the knights is unnervingly
realistic, as the men battle it out with weapons like maces and
battle axes.
By the time the show is over, guests will have certainly been
well-entertained for two hours and even brought to the edge of
their seats, but many may not leave the arena feeling truly as if
they stepped into a time machine and traveled to the Middle Ages.
Though most everything in the show works with the theme, the music,
which is played throughout the performance, seems noticeably
unfitting.
This aspect of the show, however, is easily overlooked,
especially considering all guests are wearing paper crowns and the
authenticity is not as important as having a good time, which
Medieval Times definitely provides.
Show: Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is
located at 7662 Beach Blvd. Shows are performed every evening of
the week and tickets are $39.95 for adults; group prices are
available for 15 or more. For more information call (800) 899-6600
or (714) 521-4740.