The Lord of the Rings - Theatre Royal Drury Lane

SYNOPSIS

The Lord of the Rings

Millions of people around the world are familiar with the story of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’. It is an epic fantasy novel set in a time before Man’s dominance in a place called Middle Earth. We witness good battle evil, and watch the story of a hobbit’s quest unfold to destroy the Ring of Power. Brought to life for a whole new generation through the three big screen adaptations ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ in 2001, ‘The Two Towers’ in 2002 and ‘The Return of the King’ in 2003, The Lord of the Rings is now a big production stage musical. The show previewed in London at the Royal Theatre on Drury Lane in May 2007, and premiered for its public West End run on June 19, 2007.

Lord of the Rings for the Stage

The stage adaptation of The Lord of the Rings is the creation of Bristol University graduate, Matthew Warchus. Warchus is a renowned theatrical director in the West End and to date has brought some fifty or so stage productions to life, thirty-five of which have won awards. He has been responsible for bringing the likes of Shakespeare’s ‘Much ado about Nothing’ to London’s theatres, as well as ‘Unexpected Man’, which received five Olivier nominations.

In The Lord of the Rings Matthew Warchus has developed a stunning piece of theatre. It is a three-hour long show (cut down from the three and a half hours in the Toronto production that preceded it), and majors on atmospheric scenery, eye-popping costumes and introduces a magnificent array of otherworldly creatures to the stage, including dwarves, elves and, of course, hobbits.

On technical merit the show scores highly too. There are more than 150 weapons on view, all very detailed in their presentation, and some 500 pieces of armour. Through the show seventeen hydraulic lifts are used with great effect. As those who have watched the musical adaptation will testify to, when those hydraulic lifts are in use there’s so much to take in that it’s difficult to remember to draw breath!

The Story – a brief synopsis

The musical adaptation of the Lord of the Rings follows the basic premise of JRR Tolkien’s original book. Frodo – a curious hobbit – comes into the possession of a magical gold ring. It is the ring of power, and it seeks a return to its master – the evil dark lord Sauron. With the help of Gandalf, a powerful wizard, Frodo becomes aware of the ring’s power and sets out on a mission to destroy the ring forever by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom.

The burden on Frodo is immense, but he takes comfort from the companionship of his faithful sidekick, Sam, and fellow hobbits, Pippin and Merryweather. Together they journey to Rivendell – home of the Elves and the elf-lord, Elrond. A meeting is convened and the Fellowship of the Ring is formed to share Frodo’s load – a company of hobbits, men, dwarves, elves and Gandalf the Wizard.

The Fellowship face many dangers on their quest to Mount Doom. Along the way the group become separated, but continue to do all they can to help the ring carrier, Frodo, and Sam reach their destination and fulfil their goal.

With a spectacular ending assured, and some stupendous battles between good and evil through a mesmerising array of on-stage props, The Lord of the Rings is one story adaptation for the stage that you will not want to miss!

“THIS SHOW IS A WONDER….
Go with an open heart, wide-open eyes and prepare for enchantment”
The Times

The magic of THE LORD OF THE RINGS comes to life in a stunning new onstage spectacle with over 70 actors, singers and musicians…An amazing live event, filled with jaw-dropping theatricality, that transports you to Middle-earth as breathtaking special effects, thrilling music and dazzling performances fill the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

“ A powerful piece of popular storytelling, that makes for a totally involving
theatrical experience. Amazing!” Sunday Express

“Astonishing” The Sunday Times

Experience THE LORD OF THE RINGS like never before.


“You’ve never seen spectacle like it”The Sun