Young People’s Theatre 1992
Knights of the Endless Day was produced at Young People’s Theatre in Toronto.
REVIEWS
“Non-violence and respect for the environment are two themes prominent in Knights of the Endless Day. Cleverly, they’re incorporated into the show without robbing the playof its action, without turning it into a Sunday School lesson. There are enough prospects for mystery and danger to keep a young audience stimulated and excited without being terrified… There’s lots of humour, notably in writer Priest’s word play and in the infectious toe-tapping melodies of composer Ted Dykstra.”
– Stewart Brown, The Hamilton Spectator
“The play has an enjoyably theatrical sense of fun, a desire to skewer pomposity and just the right amount of whimsy. Flamboyant combat scenes gently send up macho sword brandishing, while militarism is mocked in clever comic vignettes.”
– Jill Lawless, Now Magazine
“A magical mystical musical!”
– John Coulbourn, The Toronto Sun
“There is something eternally compelling about a great quest and a great fight. Robert Priest is smart enough to know that and build Knights of the Endless Day around that theme, but he uses a wonderful new poetic language that speaks honestly to both kids and parents… Knights of the Endless Day is very timely, hopeful and happy and it suits everybody just fine.”
– Laurie Brown, The Journal, C.B.C.
“Not only is this play lighthearted and entertaining, but it also has some very powerful messages for the audience. People of all ages could learn from it.”
– Irene Toye, Lexicon
“It’s great fun, has catchy songs, cool dancing and expounds the beauties of non- violence and environmental awareness. But the best feature of Knights is that it takes an otherwise predictable medieval fantasy and turns the whole idea of romantic chivalry on s ear…Knights is guaranteed to hold any kid’s attention.”
– Moira MacDonald, Excalibur
“The play is a musical (Ted Dykstra wrote the melodies) with enough acrobatic sword play, wise-cracking giants and jokes about dragon poop to keep four-year-olds high as kites. But Priest also lobs puns way over their heads for parents and for the sheer play of it.”
– Val Ross, The Globe and Mail
“I was happy and excited. I enjoyed it tremendously…It’s totally charming. Yes, there’s a message, and there are lines like “The greatest victory is not to have to fight.”, but it’s slid in. What makes it work is that Robert Priest has written it with a great deal of humour… You get totally taken away. I just sat back and realized I’m smiling and enjoying it. And I felt that way all the way through it. If you have children of any age from five right on up to adolescence I’d take them and the parents will have a great time as well. ”
– Richard Ouzounian, Later the Same Day, CBC