The Lord of the Rings - London

[Ilmarë]

Seeing as I pestered Eowyn for this, I wanted to start the thread for the Lord of the Rings musical. Now, as yet, I haven't had the time to write a full review of this, however I WILL say that it is THE most spectacular stage show I have ever seen (and I've seen a few being a thesp type person). It surpassed all my expectations.
I promise I will post my review soon - though maybe its enough to know I already have my tickets to see it again on October 13thlol

[Nessa the Dancer]

Sounds like you really enjoyed it Ilmarë!

I look forward to seeing your review :grin:

[Eowyn]

Oh good you found it ok then. I'm trying to convince Aranel she wants to go and see this. I don't have many lotr buddies offline... :idea: unless ED can scrape the money together...

[Ilmarë]

Well, I'm always up for things like this. If you want someone to go with, gimme a holler!!

oh btw, we're all booked with our 98 kids to see the show next march again ... row A!!!

[Eowyn]

Well I'm not going with you in March then lol 98 kids! :thud: You won't get a chance to watch it with that lot around lol

[Ilmarë]

LOL.. no, i wouldn't subject you to that... although they'll be older kids. Really though, i don't need any excuse to go... if you need the company, i'm game:cool:

[Ilmarë]

Well here's my opinion on this, for what its worth.

Firstly, I have to say - this is NOT a faithfull reproduction of the books OR the movies. Given the fact that the show is coming in at 3 hours, it would be unrealistic to think that they could fit even a tenth of what we'd all like to be in it.

However, what we DO get is one of the threads of the story - that of Frodo and Sam - and the most spectacular stage show I have ever seen in my life. Now, Im a Performing Arts teacher and I'm well used to seeing shows in London at least once a year and this is visually by far and away the best I have ever seen.

The staging of this show is beyond amazing. The giant revolve is split into 17 pieces, all of which move independently of each other to create the landscapes of Middle Earth. At times the effects are SO simple that they blow you away too.. but it all meshes incredibly well with the more spectacular pieces.

The cast do well with the script, which is at times a bit thin. Cudos goes to James Loye as Frodo, who makes the little Hobbity hero very credible (although not as much as little 'Lij does), Owen Sharpe is a brilliant Pippin, full of life and fun. He made me want to get up and join in the dancing and singing.Michael Therriault as Gollum shows an amazing physical dexterity to bring life to the tortured character.His entrance to the show has to be seen to be believed. Laura Michelle Kelly wasn't playing Galadriel the day I went, but I'm hoping to see her when I go back again in October. The rest of the cast are exceptionally good also, many of them playing multiple roles in the show.

The Elves in Lothlorien and the Orcs are just jaw dropping - the Elves on bungees and the Orcs somersaulting across the stage on sprung stilts whilst fighting. I found myself holding my breath during the battles, absolutely terrified of the scene AND worried for the performers too.

The only casting I would question are Gandalf (played by Malcolm Storry), Aragorn (played by Jerome Pradon) - both of whom just weren't convincing enough for me. Arwen (played by Rosalie Craig) is truly awful though and looks more like a drag queen than an Elven princess.

That said - I just cannot wait to go back and see this. Its not the LOTR films and actors we all know and love - and its not JRR Tolkien's books - what it is is 3 hours of a version of the stories of Middle Earth which made me laugh, cry and be fearful in all the right places.

Please do yourselves a favour and go see this! Oh and watch out for the Hobbits and Orcs at the beginning and interval;)

[Ilmarë]

Just a heads up that I'll be seeing this again next weekend... so i'll try to post more once i'm back:)

[Feebeefi]

I saw the musical at the end of June and I have to say its one of the best I've ever seen!

The music was wonderful, the acting was brill (a bit shaky in a few places but overall brilliant).

My friend and I loved it so much we're going to see it again next March:)

[Domlegolas]

Really???
I am so surprised to read ur comments here about the musical LOTR because I had another forum of musicals, so some people said musical LOTR was like.. so...so.... And some in the audience did "boo" "boo" to Legolas at the stage, and the rumor is LOTR will close in a few months, so I thought that I will never make it to see LOTR in London....
Oh well....

But it is so great to read this comments, and I would like to hear more after Ilmare went to LOTR recently :)

[Ilmarë]

Well I have to say it was even better second time around. They have made slight changes to the script, which makes the story run even smoother.

I did manage to see Laura Michelle Kelly as Galadriel this time. WOW - what an incredible voice she has. The main cast is the same although it was a different Aragorn this time. I'm not sure if that's a permanent change or just giving the understudy a chance but I'll keep this updated as much as I can.

I suppose the best thing I can say is that my friend Toya, who came with me, turned to me at the end and said "When are we coming back again then?"

We saw the matinee performance and the place was absolutely packed to the rafters. They are having NO trouble filling the theatre for this production. In fact, it is now booking until the end of NEXT year...:grin:

[Domlegolas]

In fact, it is now booking until the end of NEXT year...:grin:

YEEEPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sillyhobbit]

God, i reallly really wanna see this.

When it first was rumored to come out, i thought it was going to fail royally, but the music and the set and the costumes...they really delved into the world of Middle-earth and made it come to life beautifully.

[Ilmarë]

The cast recording of the show is now out. I got mine this morning and haven't stopped playing it. Utterly amazing:elfqueen:

[sillyhobbit]

Ah! I'm so jealous! Where did you order it from? Amazon has a release date of Feb. 5, and it's over $40 so i need to start saving up :p

[Elfdaughter]

Oh good you found it ok then. I'm trying to convince Aranel she wants to go and see this. I don't have many lotr buddies offline... :idea: unless ED can scrape the money together...


I so wish I could....*whimpers*

[Ilmarë]

Ah! I'm so jealous! Where did you order it from? Amazon has a release date of Feb. 5, and it's over $40 so i need to start saving up :p

I pre ordered mine on HMV before Christmas for £9.99 and got it early. The cast are doing a signing in the Dress Circle shop in Covent Garden this saturday. WISH I lived closer!!!:(

You can order signed copies through them for £13.99 at www.dresscircle.co.uk


Going to see it again on March 29th.... can't wait!!!

[Galawen]

To be totally honest I was very protective of the books, I really was not sure about the idea of a musical.
I went on youtube and saw a video on there (Song of Hope for avvid fans)
It made me really curious so I bought the soundtrack and I have to say it has really grown on me,
I love the difference in styles throughout !

[Ilmarë]

I think as long as you don't expect it to be anything other than what it is, then you'd enjoy seeing it. Its the most amazing staging i've ever seen. Going to see it again in a couple of weeks.

The soundtrack is really good too. I especially like Lothlorien and Wonder... as well as The Road Goes On and The Cat and The Moon:blush: