In a Modern Twist, Medieval Times Is Replacing All of Its Kings With Queens

Raise your hand if you been to Medieval Times. You know, the chain of nine restaurants—or castles—where a cast of actors puts on next-level dinner theater during your multicourse meal, reenacting a jousting tournament complete with knights and horses and royalty. It’s extremely extra and very fun. Now, in a more modern twist, The New York Times is reporting that the long-running show is replacing its male monarch with a queen in each of its locations.

For 34 years kings ruled the Medieval Times world in front of more than 2.5 million customers each year. But last fall a new female ruler emerged in Chicago, and by the end of the year, a queen will reign in each castle, having taken over for her late father in the fictional performance. Leigh Cordner started rewriting the show over a year and a half ago as a response to audiences requesting women be something other than princesses. He tells the Times, “The fact that a woman is sitting on the throne in our show at the same time the gender equality movement hit is a coincidence.”

It may be a coincidence, but this is the kind of change that we need to see across all parts of our society. Representation and the way we portray women in all parts of culture matters. (The paper does note, however, that waitresses are still referred to as “wenches.”) Monet Lerner, who plays one of the queens, says “If it can help empower women and we can be role models for these young women and men and show you need to respect women, then it is very fortuitous timing. It gives you the chills.” While many guests interviewed by the paper didn’t seem to grasp (or care) about the social significance, a moment in the show when the queen rebukes a sexist knight usually gets a big response from the female audience members. And sadly, even in the time of #MeToo and the Queen of Dragons, some just want their king back. Five-time gustomer John Freeman told the Times, “The king gives it a more powerful feeling,” he said. “You can just feel the emotions better.” Maybe his sixth visit will change his mind?

In the meantime, let’s applaud the efforts—however coincidental—of a massive chain putting women out in front. The Grammys could probably learn a lesson or two here.