The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Lord of the Rings: The Musical (No Joke!)

Bêthberry · 04-24-2005, 08:12 PM

Thanks for recounting your audition experience, Tigerlily Gamgee. I'm glad you can be so philosophical about such a cattle call. They are trying! Apparently there were over 300 people too at the Vancouver audition, and there were several others as well.

Will you be seeing the IMAX screening of LotR? I saw Star Wars on IMAX, so I would imagine that might be quite a thrill.

I have heard some very interesting thoughts about this musical, points which I think in many ways are very complimentary to Tolkien himself.

First of all, the guidelines for the roles are really very unique. It is rare to be told, "No one over 5' 7" tall"! And there are some other criteria for size and appearance and voice that provide alot of hope for people who don't fall into the usual tall, willowy and blonde categories. It is good to see actors and actresses who don't have the usual looks and appearance being given a chance. I bet Tolkien would appreciate that. (Hey, I remember seeing a picture of you. You are gorgeous! I couldn't see you as a dwarf or hobbit, but then, I don't know how talented you are!)

People are also hoping that this musical provides a much needed shot in the arm for a city whose arts community still has not recovered from the SARS epidemic scare. Right, the Rolling Stones concert didn't do it. I think that is one reason why the local governments fell behind the Mervishes to support the show there after plans for a London theatre fell through. There should be lots of jobs not only for actors and singers and musicians but all kinds of stage hands. And then the local hotels and restaurants, etc. Sort of like The Shire recovering from the Scouring!

Apparently this production has exclusive rights to the show for 18 months in North America and 9 in England.

So, while Christopher might cringe and JR might be rolling over in the grave, there might indeed be some very positive things to come out of this musical, maybe not all artistic or canonical, but still things which help an artistic community create a vision. I kind of hope that such a positive potential would not be sneared at by a writer as generous as Tolkien.

04-24-2005, 08:12 PM	#26
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Thanks for recounting your audition experience, Tigerlily Gamgee. I'm glad you can be so philosophical about such a cattle call. They are trying! Apparently there were over 300 people too at the Vancouver audition, and there were several others as well. Will you be seeing the IMAX screening of LotR? I saw Star Wars on IMAX, so I would imagine that might be quite a thrill. I have heard some very interesting thoughts about this musical, points which I think in many ways are very complimentary to Tolkien himself. First of all, the guidelines for the roles are really very unique. It is rare to be told, "No one over 5' 7" tall"! And there are some other criteria for size and appearance and voice that provide alot of hope for people who don't fall into the usual tall, willowy and blonde categories. It is good to see actors and actresses who don't have the usual looks and appearance being given a chance. I bet Tolkien would appreciate that. (Hey, I remember seeing a picture of you. You are gorgeous! I couldn't see you as a dwarf or hobbit, but then, I don't know how talented you are!) People are also hoping that this musical provides a much needed shot in the arm for a city whose arts community still has not recovered from the SARS epidemic scare. Right, the Rolling Stones concert didn't do it. I think that is one reason why the local governments fell behind the Mervishes to support the show there after plans for a London theatre fell through. There should be lots of jobs not only for actors and singers and musicians but all kinds of stage hands. And then the local hotels and restaurants, etc. Sort of like The Shire recovering from the Scouring! Apparently this production has exclusive rights to the show for 18 months in North America and 9 in England. So, while Christopher might cringe and JR might be rolling over in the grave, there might indeed be some very positive things to come out of this musical, maybe not all artistic or canonical, but still things which help an artistic community create a vision. I kind of hope that such a positive potential would not be sneared at by a writer as generous as Tolkien. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.