Runner-up: Observer/Anthony Burgess prize for arts journalism 2022 – Laura de Lisle on Critical Role, Campaign 2, Episode 141

The runner-up enjoys a seven-hour episode of the livestreaming phenomenon in which voice actors role-play wizards, warlocks and goblin in a game of Dungeons & Dragons

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Laura de Lisle is a theatre critic for The Arts Desk and a freelance writer, currently working on a play about an obscure German poet. They live in London

Objectively, the final episode of Critical Role's second campaign is too long. Brilliant, but too long. Seven hours and two minutes, to be exact, with a 15-minute break. A full night's rest (ish) and almost a long rest in Dungeons & Dragons - but we're getting ahead of ourselves. Context is critical.