Who we are and what we do!
Want bragging rights to show your friends online? Better win the fight, then!
Just a bit of hack-and-slash
Axe, sword, shield... Whatever you prefer!
Our Arena comes to YOU!
No muss, no fuss, just book and get to SWINGING!
You CAN actually choose your battles. Your weapons as well!
Beta test Arena, grown and updated since!
The simple weaponry. If you want the FUN weaponry then earn it in the Arena!
"This could've been over email. Or in the Arena." Better than HR!
Fun and SAFE for all ages! That includes your INNER kid, too!
Using realistic foam-injected weaponry, you can bash your friends as much as you want with no risk of removing an arm! Each fight is adjudicated by a "Pit Master," a trained expert in both combat and a professional actor, so the immersion is never broken while you're having a blast! It's also safe for the whole family, little ones included!
Parrie & Riposte can be brought anywhere for any event; in the past P&R has been done at Renaissance Faires, festivals, celebrations, parties, corporate team-builders, and P&R is currently planning to work hand in hand with local bars/taverns/breweries to create the full pit fighting experience so you can slay an enemy and drink a celebratory brew!
1 review
Patrick W.
August 27, 2023We had Jay from P&R out at our corporate event and it was awesome. Good time for the team even though I didn't win much 😂 Plan on having them back out for a birthday party in October! Trust me, DO IT
Hired as: Medieval Entertainment, Team Building Event
Parrie & Riposte: Immersive Combat
Thank you, Patrick! Glad y'all had a great time and can't wait to get the ball rolling in October!
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: English
Gig length: 90 - 360 minutes
Unions: SAFD
Imagine this: your guests come over to your home, greet you, and then get shown out to a Viking standing in an Arena lit by torchlight beckoning them forward.
Your employees walk into the office one day to see, instead of desks, wood/rope/steel, and having their adrenaline pumped by the drumming in the background.
Or your daughter's princess party elevated by a knight bowing to her, and letting her show what a warrior princess she truly is.
THAT excitement, thrill, and sense of glee is what we do best!
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THE RUNDOWN
- When P&R is hired, we'll go over the logistics of what you need; whether that's an all-day tournament, a come-and-go style event where guests can fight as they please, a team-builder with scheduled times built in for analysis/breakdown, etc.
- Once all the details are ironed out we'll both sign the contract and get payment settled, then P&R goes to work to tailor everything on the back-end to your specific event!
- Our Pit Master shows up an hour before the event to go over any last minute logistics, run a safety check, then set up the Arena! After that it's two passes through the entire Arena to make sure everything's in running order, one last safety check, then:
IT'S TIME TO FIGHT!
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THE ARENA
The Arena is a 12-15' x 12-15' space roped off to indicate the partitioned "battlefield." The only people allowed in the Arena are the two fighters participating in the current match, though other watchers are encouraged to gather round and cheer them on!
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WHO GOES FIRST
For larger groups/tournaments/long engagements/team builders:
- The fighters will all draw lots for tournament placement, and then battle up through to the Final Round.
For smaller groups/walk-and-fight:
- The fights will be on a first come, first served basis, with a mental 'sign-up' sheet being the roster until the list gets long enough to necessitate a time schedule.
For team builders:
- The analysis process can take place either at the end of each fight, each section of the tournament, or at the end with the whole team. If the event is multi-departmental, separate sessions might need to be considered for the best use of time/retention of information.
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SAFETY
EVERY fight is adjudicated by our professional Pit Master, a trained actor and analyst who will keep the rules followed and crowd entertained throughout the event. No other person is allowed in the Arena except the two fighters, and the Pit Master's word is law; when it comes to safety, we don't play around and expect our guests to have the same mentality. Especially at a party/bar where drinking is happening as well, our Pit Masters can refuse entry if they deem that a fight can get out of hand.
Similarly with the weapons- every sword/axe/shield is made of a latex foam composite, so while it may LOOK absolutely real, the feeling is like getting hit with a toy sword. That doesn't mean it can't hurt, though, so head/neck/groin swings are prohibited, and well as any stabbing motions.
P&R was started by J Robert Raines, a professional immersive designer, actor, and combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.
Borne out of his desire to tie fantasy, combat, immersion, and performance into something everyone can enjoy, J blended those into a mobile immersive fighting Arena where all ages can have a taste of being the knight, viking, brigand, or rogue they always wanted to be.
Available for parties, events, festivals, faires, markets, and everything else in between, J also uses a custom-tailored analytical process rooted in social psychology for corporate team builders to give actionable feedback to companies looking to improve camaraderie and prowess in their fields; the best part is the company is having so much fun they forget that it's a team builder!
P&R can be found at bars and taverns all over Wilmington, NC in the evenings as well as markets/festivals/parties/events, but P&R can also be found at festivals and faires all over the Southeast!
Pretty much everything is handled on our end, so as long as there's space for the Arena we can make things work!
- 15' x 15' space
Preferably wifi (but not required)
Medieval Entertainment