Critical Role Live – 10 Year Anniversary Review (Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne)
Summary: Critical Role Live – 10 Year Anniversary Review was the stuff of role playing dreams!
5
Dream stuff!
It’s not every day that Rod Laver Arena turns into a portal to Exandria but on the evening of 25th June 2025, thousands of Aussie Critters bore witness to something truly unforgettable – Critical Role’s highly anticipated debut in Melbourne as part of its 10-year anniversary bash. What is Critical Role? It’s Dungeon’s & Dragons Live and not even the bad weather gods of Melbourne Australia could keep the fans off the material plane as the atmosphere was intense, including some of the most awesome cosplay costumes this side of the world.
What kicked off as a Dungeon’s & Dragons game between a bunch of voice actor mates has blossomed into a storytelling powerhouse and the Melbourne live show firmly cemented precisely why Critical Role continues to captivate a global audience. Hosted by the ever-charismatic Australian Tom Cardy, who brought a wonderfully bonkers energy to the stage, the event seamlessly merged theatrical flair with that familiar, cosy home-game warmth that fans have absolutely adored for a decade.
The team was led by the incomparable master storyteller Matthew Mercer, the founding cast of Ashley Johnson, Marisha Ray, Taliesin Jaffe, Travis Willingham, Sam Riegel, Laura Bailey and Liam O’Brien as they brought characters from across campaigns together in a cracking one-night-only narrative twist. Each performer brought the full force of their voice acting prowess, improvisational wit and unshakeable party chemistry. Whether it was a tension-filled moment of nail-biting dice-rolling drama or an outburst of utterly daft in-character absurdity, the cast struck a brilliant balance between heartfelt roleplay and fan-fuelled hilarity.
Despite the sheer scale of the arena, the experience felt surprisingly personal. Clever staging, vivid sound design and dazzling screens pulled the audience right into the narrative without ever overshadowing the human element at its very core. For many in attendance, it wasn’t just a show… it was a long-awaited homecoming. From roaring natural 20s to utterly unexpected crit fails, the live energy was absolutely palpable. Fans cheered, laughed and even had a bit of a cry in unison, proving beyond doubt that Critical Role isn’t just a campaign, it’s a proper community.
Final Thoughts?
The Melbourne show wasn’t just a celebration of Critical Role’s decade-long journey, it was a heartfelt love letter to the fans who’ve rolled with them through thick and thin. If this cracking performance was anything to go by, the next 10 years are looking rather spiffing indeed. And then there was the merch to take some memories from the material plane home.
Brilliant!
#: Photos are from the Sydney Event
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