By Bobbie Katz

EXCLUSIVE TO VEGASINSIDETIPS

For week ending March 14, 2010

When was the last time you were told that it was was okay to eat dinner with your hands?  At the “Tournament of Kings” at the Excalibur, it’s absolutely the order of the day.

With its medieval flair, a genuine jousting tournament, great special effects including dragons and fire wizards, and a finger-licking good meal, this show is a royal treat for the entire family. Taking place in King Arthur’s Arena at the hotel, it is a fantasy excursion into the intrigue and excitement of medieval Europe.

The story begins when amid the backdrop of a fanciful feast, King Arthur gathers his fellow kings of Europe in his kingdom of Avalon for a no-holds-barred jousting competition to honor his son, Christopher. The rival kings begin the games, riding their faithful steeds through rounds and rounds of medieval sport, testing their skills, agility, strength and endurance.

But as the event winds down and the victorious king takes his celebration lap, the evil fire wizard Mordred attacks, dampening the festivities and threatening to throw the land of Avalon into an age of fire and shadows. Kingdoms clash, beasts attack, and fire burns bright. The dragon kills a king by knocking him from his horse, then challenges Arthur and wounds him mortally. Before dying, Arthur asks his son to avenge his death.

Christopher is left to fight the dragon and Merlin the Magician appears to explain that because of an old curse, once wounded, the dragon turns into a Dragon Knight. Christopher wounds the dragon and the transformation occurs. Six fighters, dressed as one-half dragon, one-half fighter, then enter and surround Christopher, who seeks help by blowing his horn to beckon the kings. With the royals’ assistance, Christopher defeats all the dragons, including the Dragon Knight. Merlin reappears and presents the Sword of Arthur, Excalibur, to Christopher. A celebration follows.

The most fun part of “Tournament of Kings” is that the main star of the show is the audience itself. The kings, each from a different country, each wear a different color. The Dragon Knight wears black. The crowd is seated in eight different sections, each corresponding to a particular king and his color (one section corresponds to the Dragon Knight) and each section cheers its king on. From show to show, no one knows which king will win this exciting jousting tournament.

The 26 beautiful horses in the show are rotated so that about 17 are in the show at one time. Stunning costumes by Emmy-nominated French director Michael Fresnay drape each cast member. Fire-blazing pyrotechnics by Anthony Restive light up the arena as his character, Mordred, tries to stake his claim to Avalon. All the while, an exciting score takes you on a musical journey.

Excitement is king in this thrilling spectacle.