Grab your sword, chain mail, and cowboy hat because it’s time for the Texas Renaissance Festival. The largest congregation of its kind in the U.S. is the subject of HBO’s new docuseries, Ren Faire, directed by Lance Oppenheim. The docuseries follows the aged George “the King” Coulam, who founded the fair in 1974 and, 50 years later, has finally decided to abdicate his throne. In true Arthurian fashion, he needs to pick an heir to run the show. As it happens, there are multiple eager successors in contention, and they will do whatever it takes to get in the King’s good graces. That means begging, scheming, and pitching visions of the festival’s future under new leadership. Amid this Succession-esque narrative, we also get to watch Coulam navigate the world of online dating. Chivalry lives. —Jack Sullivan
The Arts Intel Report
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
Ren Faire
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A knight in shining armor at the Texas Renaissance Festival.