Theater Review: Round Table

The legend of King Arthur has inspired a number of adaptations in every medium. And why wouldn’t it? It’s a tale of bravery, magic, loyalty, romance, and heartbreak. In Round Table, performing at the 59E59 Theaters, the legend is cleverly used in this new contemporary play written by Liba Vaynberg.

Zach (Craig Wesley Divino) and Laura (Liba Vaynberg) meet for a first date thanks to an online dating app. Zach is a medieval scholar who, as his day job, is a consultant and writer for one of the biggest TV shows around the globe, Round Table. Laura, too, is a writer. She, however, is a ghostwriter of romance novels (although, of course, has plans of writing the next Great American Novel). As we watch the relationship flourish between these two, scenes from the TV show, Round Table, are interspersed and we soon discover that everything Zach is writing is very close to home.

Liba Vaynberg and Craig Wesley Divino in Round Table; photo credit: Carol Rosegg

In his spare time, Zach is a larper. He meets with his larping community to live out all of their medieval fantasies which happen to mimic what happens on Round Table. Indeed the actors who play Mordred (Matthew Bovee), King Arthur’s foe, and Morgan (Sharina Martin), an ally, also play Zach’s fellow larpers. What we soon discover, though, is that each of these people are using larping as an escape from not-so-lovely real life situations. In fact, Zach has a huge secret that he harbors from Laura: he’s terminally ill.

Each of the actors, under the direction of Geordie Broadwater, does a very fine job of bringing their characters to life (both modern and legendary characters!). In addition to the four actors previously mention, Karl Gregory plays Zach’s brother Kay. The chemistry between the five person cast is very believable. The moments when each character steps out of the spotlight to face the audience and share private thoughts and feelings connected them to the audience and made their individual stories that much more relatable.

And, because of that, the great story, smooth and intimate production, Round Table is a clever, thoughtful, and heart-wrenching play to watch.

For more information on Round Table, click here.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg

Taraneh

Taraneh has been happily living in NYC for over a decade, but originally hails from the Midwest. Enamored with books at a young age, she grew up making stories, playing make believe, and loving the musical and performing arts. She is great at binge-watching TV shows. Some current favorites: Schitt's Creek, A Court of Mist & Fury, Prince Harry, and The Magicians.