Before the internet, fantasy games were played with multi-faceted dice. The most popular of these was Dungeons & Dragons, a game that did not rely on a board or strict rules but instead thrived on the players’ imagination—sometimes even enhanced by costumes reflecting their characters.

Though the title may hint at a famous book series, The Habits is a fresh take on the Dungeons & Dragons world. One of its key attractions is its broad appeal, engaging players of all ages and genders. At the heart of the game is the Dungeon Master, responsible for crafting and guiding the unfolding story, while players adopt their own personas and embark on quests, either individually or together.

Before dismissing The Habits as a niche interest, it’s worth noting that this production is an amusing and immersive experience, tightly packed into ninety minutes without an interval. You don’t need to understand the mechanics of the game to enjoy watching the characters navigate their interactions, with each other and their own inner demons.

Jack Bradfield, the play’s author, discovered Dungeons & Dragons during the lockdown and remains an active player. Under Ed Madden’s direction, the set is simple: an angled round table with chairs and a flat container for rolling dice of various shapes and sizes—each determining damage, health, and other game elements.