Tag: Tolkien

Source: Dennis Clements australianstage.com.au 2025/01/12

So how do you adapt one of the worlds most loved epic tales by J.R.R. Tolkien from three densely packed novels into a 3 hours of live music theatre? Well, the answer is very satisfyingly indeed – and it’s playing at the State Theatre in Sydney right now, before touring to multiple cities.

All reservations were swept aside, as this utterly charming, exceptionally well-crafted piece of music theatre unfolded in front of an enrapture audience on opening night. The adaptation has been written under licence from Middle-earth Enterprises – the guardians of Tolkien’s works – and captures the essence of his tale in a very satisfying way. It is like a warm fireside bedside story, full of love and adventure, and brimming with detailed observations of this magical world. It finds its own unique niche among this tales many incarnations and holds its own alongside them all within its particular genre.

The characters are recognisable but not slavish copies of previous versions. The casting is immaculate and exciting, and the performances imbue the storytelling with an energy, truth and commitment that sweep you along with their journey and touch your heart in a very intimate way. The only way to succeed in covering the immense sweep of this tale is to make each moment real and personal and the book by Shaun McKenna and Mathew Warchus lands this epic undertaking quite flawlessly. Despite the extraordinary editing job required, the story remains cohesive and understandable and somehow even unrushed. It is certainly an enviable achievement.

Firmly centred on the Hobbits view of the journey, this production anchors itself in the relationships and friendships forged on the journey, but still offers up some breathtaking theatrical effects through puppetry, music, choreography and projection that support some quite extraordinary performances by this company of multi skilled performer musicians.

The beating heart of this story is always the friendship between Frodo and Sam, and Rarmian Newton and Wern Mak not just hold their own but often transcend previous versions of their characters to capture our hearts with their unique connection. Not to mention their wonderful voices and astounding physical skills.

But that is a hallmark of this production. The huge cast draw on an assortment of music, acting and physical skills to create an unexpectedly exciting form of storytelling that continues to surprise and impress as each scene unfolds. There are just too many special moments to mention them all, but Laurence Boxhall’s Gollum is a spectacular highlight, the tortured twisting character fully realised and as touching and malevolent as you could wish for. Rob Mallet lands the challengingly noble smouldering character of Strider with lantern jawed ease, Terence Crawford’s Gandalf is as wonderful a sorcerer father-figure as you could wish for and Stefanie Caccamo as Arwen and Jemma Rix as (a visually somewhat Eurovision inspired) Galadriel use their breathtaking vocal talents to deliver some of the most extraordinary musical moments of the evening.

This is a very immersive production. The characters welcome you into the theatre for Bilbo’s eleventy first birthday, and you can chat and play games with them as the show begins. And for those who might be wary of such involvement, rest assured it’s a delightful relaxed and welcoming start. Not at all confronting, it is a wonderful introduction to the comfortable and engaging storytelling style of the evening ahead.

In short this is a very convincing and credible version of Tolkien’s tale and will appeal to both novices and groupies alike. The mix of music by A.R. Rahman, Värttinä and Christopher Nightingale is gorgeous and appropriately haunting, reflecting the multi-cultural influences of each. And the skilful staging led by Director Paul Hart and Choreographer Anjali Mehra with a huge team of creatives as epic as the original books themselves, is as magical as you might anticipate from a trip to Middle Earth. Yes, there’s Ring Wraiths, a Balrog, Shelob and numerous battles, and to paraphrase one of the stories best known lines – they shall all pass!!

If you have reservations around ‘how could this be possible’ then dispel them immediately. This show works wonderfully and rewards its audience with one of the most touching and entrancing renditions of this well-known tale that you could wish for. Full of charm, warmth and spectacular theatrical invention, it is a night in the theatre that you really won’t want to miss.

The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale Australian cast announced!

The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale will embark on a new journey as this timeless tale unfolds in this critically acclaimed and breathtaking theatrical production, playing Theatre Royal Plymouth from 4 – 11 October 2025. This is an exclusive UK presentation of this award-winning production, with tickets on general sale from Tuesday 22 October.

With a UK cast, the show will return to British audiences at Theatre Royal Plymouth before embarking on a European tour presented by People Entertainment Group, with details to be announced soon.

The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is performed live by a 32-strong ensemble of actors and actor-musicians.

The original 2023 production, which sold out its 12-week run at The Watermill Theatre, won a WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best Regional Production’, and scooped eight Broadway World Awards, garnered 4- and 5-star reviews, with critics praising its innovative use of projections, puppetry, and live music. The production has been described as “exhilarating” and “rewarding” for both long-time fans of The Lord of the Rings and newcomers to the story. The following year, having evolved to include an ensemble of 30, The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale had its U.S. premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was hailed as “a must see” and “a visual marvel”. It will play Auckland New Zealand and seasons across Australia from November this year.

Producer Kevin Wallace said, “This production began its journey at The Watermill Theatre, realised by an exceptional creative team led by Paul Hart and, in collaboration with our colleagues at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, they went on to thrill US audiences with the US Premiere at The Yard Theatre in Chicago. Together with Middle-earth Enterprises and GWB Entertainment, we are thrilled to bring it back to the UK, where it will play exclusively at Theatre Royal Plymouth before heading to Europe. It’s been an incredible experience seeing performers from each production make these roles their own, and we look forward to this new chapter, once again with a British company.”

Fredrica Drotos, Steward Brand & Licensing at Middle-earth Enterprises adds that “bringing this production to audiences across the globe has been a privilege and a delight, and now, A Musical Tale embarks on another adventure, touching home in the UK briefly before setting off again with an immensely talented cast and crew, poised to infuse each and every performance across the continent, with a palpable purity of spirit.”

James Mackenzie-Blackman, CEO of Theatre Royal Plymouth said, “We are incredibly proud to be hosting The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale as the exclusive UK venue in 2025. This production has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, and we are excited to bring it to Plymouth. It’s a truly unique theatrical experience, combining music, storytelling, and a multi-skilled ensemble of performers. We can’t wait to share this production with our audiences before it embarks on its European tour.”

Director Paul Hart says, “To tell this most epic and beloved story onstage, we had to start small and think big. Very much like a Hobbit! What began as an intimate production at The Watermill has grown into something larger than we ever imagined, traveling across continents and captivating audiences with its music and storytelling. It’s been an exhilarating journey, and I am thrilled to bring the show back to the UK before we embark on the European tour. Each night, we create this world anew, and I hope audiences leave feeling a little more like the Hobbits we all have within us—hopeful, wide-eyed, and daring to do the impossible.”

For more information on all worldwide productions, visit www.lotrmusical.com.

Based upon the Books by J.R.R. Tolkien. Written and produced under license from Middle-earth Enterprises, LLC (MEE). The Lord of the Rings logo, The Lord of the Rings and the names of characters, events, items and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of MEE and are used under license. All rights reserved. ©2024 Kevin Wallace Limited and Middle-earth Enterprises.

Following its highly anticipated US premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater “A MUST-SEE SHOW to put on your summer list” – Chicago Stage & Screen, The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, the stage production based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy beloved by generations of readers, will make its Australian premiere at the State Theatre Sydney from 7 January 2025.

Longtime fans and newcomers alike will journey to Middle-earth™ in the company of Hobbits, as J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy of books The Lord of the Rings is brought to life on stage by a cast of multi-skilled actor-musicians, in a theatrical event that celebrates community, courage and camaraderie. “Tolkien would have been so proud” – WhatsOnStage

The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale had its initial production at The Watermill Theatre in the United Kingdom, receiving rave reviews with The Guardian proclaiming it ‘The Greatest Show on Middle-earth’ and the Mail on Sunday calling it ‘Something rather wizard”. The production will also play in Auckland, New Zealand, at the end of 2024.

The Australian production arrives following the 70th anniversary of the publication of The Fellowship of the Ring, the first book in The Lord of the Rings trilogy which debuted in 1954.

“The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is a celebration of storytelling at its finest, most electrifying and enigmatic; and we are so pleased to support this epic adventure as it travels to the magical continent of Australia from its origins in Middle-earth. At the risk of sounding cliché, this truly is, a show you cannot miss, Fredrica Drotos, Steward of MEE, emphatically declared.

“It is time for Australia’s actors and actor-musicians to tell their version of The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale in Paul Hart’s wonderful theatrical production, and we are looking forward to their bringing Middle-earth to audiences at the State Theatre, Sydney”, said Kevin Wallace of Kevin Wallace Productions on behalf of the producers.

As the Hobbits celebrate Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday in the Shire, he gifts his nephew Frodo his most precious belonging – a gold ring. This fateful moment launches Frodo on a legendary and perilous quest across Middle-earth to the darkest realms of Mordor, to vanquish evil with his loyal Fellowship. The dynamic folk-inspired score is performed live by the company on stage, weaving together original music with storytelling.

Auditions have already begun in Australia to find the next generation’s iconic roles from the beloved trilogy, including Hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, Gollum, Galadriel, Gandalf, Arwen and Aragorn.

On behalf of Australian co-producer GWB Entertainment, Torben Brookman said, “This is a production that will delight The Lord of the Rings fans of all ages, whether you are 8 or 80, there is something for everyone in this brilliant telling of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic tale. It is the perfect show for the summer in Sydney and we could not be more delighted to bring the production to Australia.”

The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale features a book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna (Maddie, La Cava) and Matthew Warchus (Groundhog Day) and original music by Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman (Bombay Dreams, Slumdog Millionaire), Finnish folk band Värttinä, and Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical).

The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is presented in Australia by Kevin Wallace Productions, GWB Entertainment, Middle-earth Enterprises, Tim McFarlane, KHAM Inc, People Entertainment Group, The Watermill Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Based upon the Books by J.R.R. Tolkien. Written and produced under license from Middle-earth Enterprises, LLC (MEE). The Lord of the Rings logo, The Lord of the Rings and the names of characters, events, items and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of MEE and are used under license. All rights reserved. ©2024 Kevin Wallace Limited and Middle-earth Enterprises.