How much do we love Tournament of Kings, the long-running, family-friendly medieval production at Excalibur? Let us count the numbers over its 30-plus years:
• 15 million-plus: Number of Cornish game hens served to guests over the show’s 30-plus-year history (all foods at this production are meant to be eaten with your hands).
• 75,000: Cubic feet of wood shavings used each year inside the venue’s horse stables, ensuring each equine is as comfortable as possible (all the horses live on-property in 19 stalls).
• 150: Weight in tons of hay consumed by the show’s horses each year.
• 50: Weight in tons of soil added to the Tournament of Kings arena every year.
• 47: Number of people who are responsible for bringing each and every performance to vivid life (20 crew including audio, pyrotechnic, lighting, wardrobe and stage technicians, and 27 cast members including King Arthur, Merlin, riders, fighters and dancers).
• 20: Battle props used during each performance (13 swords, four short swords, two ball and chains, and one axe).
• Six: Lance tips sheared off during jousting in each performance.
What makes this show so singular among the offerings on the Strip is its audience participation element. Before the show even starts, you’ll be seated in one of the different “country” sections (including Austria, France, Hungary, Ireland, Sweden, Spain and Romania), which automatically gives you a feeling of inclusion. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll be rooting for your country once the games begin!
The games themselves involve everything from javelin tossing and jousting to racing and swordplay, and, after some coaching by the master of ceremonies, you either bang on your table or raise your hands and shout “Huzzah!”
In addition to the aforementioned poultry, your meal also includes potatoes, seasonal vegetables and a dinner roll (menus can be adjusted for vegans, kids, those with gluten allergies and more). Adults can enjoy an adult beverage, and even though the meal is meant to be eaten sans flatware, you can definitely request it if need be.
Excalibur. 702.597.7600 or excalibur.mgmresorts.com
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