Medieval Times is back after a four-month coronavirus-induced hiatus with jousting, fanfare and new health and safety measures.
The dinner theater attraction has reopened in Lawrenceville, one of the two Medieval Times locations that has resumed shows since the coronavirus pandemic caused nationwide closures of theatrical events. Eight other Medieval Times locations across the country remain closed; the only other one to open is the Orlando, Florida location.
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Shows at Medieval Times resumed July 5. Live entertainment venues were allowed to reopen in Georgia as of July 1, providing they adhere to 30 guidelines intended to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Those include social distancing measures, regular sanitation and requiring workers to wear masks when interacting with patrons.
The production felt as if it “didn’t skip a beat” despite new procedures and a monthslong stop in shows, said general manager Louis Ruocco.
“We are excited to have the doors open and welcome our guests and team members back,” Ruocco said. “It didn’t feel like we were gone for four months.”
The theater is making the changes fun when they can; a new character walks around the lobby area carrying a six-foot stick adorned with bells, shoes and other items, meant to show guests how far away they should stay from each other, Ruocco said. Knights still pick female guests to receive roses and be crowned princesses during the show, but instead of being tossed the flowers or tiaras, they’re handed over by a staff member in a mask, face shield and gloves.
The show is almost exactly the same as it was before the coronavirus pandemic hit Georgia, but a few tweaks have been made to protect the health of the actors. A trumpeter that was previously stationed near the queen’s throne has been moved to a stair area. Knights, who joust and engage in close combat, have masks and air filters sewn into their costumes.
In accordance with state guidelines, the theater’s audience size has been cut from 1,100 to 500, and no more than 60 staff works at a time, Ruocco said. Social distancing is enforced with metered entrance and exit, parties seated six feet apart in the main arena and signage asking people to keep their distance when waiting in lines. Food is delivered to customers by a masked, shielded and gloved employee, and though Medieval Times is known for its utensil-free dining, individually wrapped disposable utensils, napkins and disinfectant wipes are available upon request.
All employees wear masks when interacting with guests, and all guests over six years old must wear a mask to enter. Both guests and employees are temperature screened. If anyone in a group has a temperature over 100.4 degrees, the entire party will be asked to reschedule their visit and will not be able to enter the theater. Employees who have a temperature over 100.4 degrees or who fail a daily pre-work health screening must quarantine for 14 days and be symptom-free with a negative COVID-19 test to return to work, Ruocco said.
Indoor events with large numbers of people are considered high risk for coronavirus spread by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To reduce the risk that comes with indoor events, Medieval Times is installing air filters designed to catch 90% of airborne particles including bacteria and viruses, Ruocco said.
“We’re doing as much as possible to keep everybody as safe as we can,” Ruocco said. “It’s a new normal now.”
Medieval Times shows are scheduled Wednesdays through Sundays at its arena near Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville. Tickets are available for shows through October.
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