With 10 years under their belt, Critical Role have well and truly proved they’re not going anywhere after their sold-out live show at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena last week.
If you talk to just about any Dungeons & Dragons fan, they’re likely to mention Critical Role at least once. The web show, helmed by a merry band of voice actors, has been running for a decade now – blossoming from what was originally just a game between friends into an empire. With millions of followers online and dedicated fans across the globe, an adventure Down Under has been long-awaited – and Aussies turned out in force when the group took to stadiums in June.
It’s a surreal feeling to roll into Rod Laver Arena and see the stadium packed out entirely, and even more mind-blowing to realise that (from what the group said on-stage) over 11 thousand people braved the frankly horrific Melbourne weather to watch a group of people play Dungeons & Dragons live. Cosplayers of characters from all campaigns milled through the throng of attendees and the excitement was electric.
Having been a long-time fan myself, the excitement was also catching. The stage – drenched in moody lighting complete with a backdrop that’s likely the envy of every D&D playgroup worldwide – was set, and Australia’s very own Tom Cardy was well-prepared to warm up the crowd with performances of his satirical (and very viral) songs. There’s nothing quite like a crowd chanting along to punching someone’s dad in the dick repeatedly to bring the energy up.
Of course, the main event here was Critical Role. For those new to the group themselves, the entire founding cast in attendance comprised of voice actors Matt Mercer (the Dungeon Master/DM), Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Marisha Ray, Travis Willingham, Sam Riegel, and Liam O’Brien. Riegel strutted out in full Dame Edna drag to the thunderous cheers of the crowd, and after a bit of housekeeping, the adventure began.
Nat 20s elicited thunderous applause and cheers. Crit fails were met with laughs. The overarching story took the crowd on an unexpected journey with revisited characters across Campaign 2 and 3, giving fans the unique opportunity to see members of Bells Hells and the Mighty Nein played out in the flesh.
It’s a very special thing to see Critical Role live. Their voice acting performances were just as remarkable in real life, and more dramatic moments seamlessly gave way to sheer chaotic comedy. Despite being at this point a global phenomenon, and the setting itself, it felt like watching a home game between dear friends all the same. The chemistry between the eight (and Tom Cardy as a guest player) was as genuine as it’s ever felt on screens – or in podcast format – and it made for all the more memorable of an experience. A special shout out does go to Cardy himself for slotting into the group so effortlessly with a memorable character that expertly toed the line of entertaining comedy and heartfelt introspection.
Last Wednesday’s (June 25) show proved that ten years on, Critical Role is still a force to be reckoned with – and so are their fans. Over ten thousand strangers were for one night all friends experiencing it together, and the group on stage were more than happy to return the love given to them in droves with an event that celebrated what the last decade has seen them build together. And what exactly is it that Critical Role has built with their fans, you might ask? Well, to put it simply: community.
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