Lord Of The Rings Musical Spring 2005 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Tigerlily Gamgee · 12-22-2004, 10:22 PM

I think this show could easily be a disasterous joke, but I hope that isn't the case. I'm just curious as to how they are going to get through all three books in one stage show. Is this going to be like one of those musicals from the late 1800's where you'd go and make a day out it... a six hour musical. I'm just wondering how they will do it justice while still keeping it a length that will suit the attention span of today's audiences.
The good news is, though, that if it does take off in London, then it probably won't be long until it hits NY, and then it would probably tour... as that's how these things usually work. So, more of us may be able to see it later on.
Me, I'd love to be able to audition. Musical theatre is my major, and everyone always tells me I look like Eowyn. *sigh* If only I had an agent overseas.

malkatoj · 03-13-2005, 12:17 PM

I like musicals, and I like Lord of the Rings. But it's hard enough adapting something to the screen. I imaine that if I lived in London and saw it, I would get hom and be like "They forgot this part! And this part! And you couldn't tell this!" I bet I would like it if I viewed it as a seperate thing from the books, but that's so hard.

I hope they use the songs from the books. Haha I can see Legolas dancing around singing...this could be very interesting.

Mithalwen · 03-13-2005, 12:54 PM

Actually, I think it could work - and balance out a lot of my quibbles about the lack of psychological depth in the film (seeing the programme about Acorn Antiques lat night is making me feel benevolent about musicals).

I don't think that many of the original songs would be appropriate even if they have the authority to use them, but one of the great advantages of the format is that it is perfectly acceptable to have a narrator ( cf the Auden/ Britten opera/musical "PAul Bunyan") and for characters to soliloquise. This enables an awful lot of "cutting to the chase". The radio version used music and song to move the plot on very effectively. Also, even otherwise mediocre productions can have huge impact with staging. Obviously it could not show everything, but I think you could fit in more than you might expect. there is an awful lot of description in the books which can be evoked by music, lighting etc . Anyway... I am tempted to give it a crack...

Lalwendë · 03-13-2005, 01:59 PM

I think I might change my mind on this one and I would risk going to see this. I say risk, because I could well still run out of there shrieking, but I've had two good experiences with such things now. I've seen the Sound of Music live, which was a good laugh, mainly as it was openly self-referencing and just amusing and nostalgic. I also went to see Jerry Springer The Opera, purely as I was entirely intrigued and reading the reviews posted outside the theatre tempted me to go. I thought it couldn't possibly work but it did. The best part was seeing all the serious opera and theatre types in there, the sort of people who would never dream of tuning into Springer! 'Tis not for the faint hearted though, and I suspect an LotR musical would be similarly um ....challenging, but in a different kind of way.

Mithalwen · 03-13-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

The best part was seeing all the serious opera and theatre types in there, the sort of people who would never dream of tuning into Springer!

That is a bit of a generalisation ..... it is possible to love opera and theatre and "trashy tv". And I am speaking as someone who goes to "new" opera AND loved El Dorado...... I am just sorry I fell asleep for the second half of JSTO when the had it on TV.

The more I think about it, the more I think it might just work although I think it will be the reverse of the film which was essentially an action pic. In musical the action will be probably quite stylised - but that is one of the conventions of the form. I can think of many key moments in LOTR which will respond well to Operatic/musical (and I think there is often a fine line between the two) - Intoduction of Aragorn, The Council of Elrond as a wonderful big set piece and so on ... I wonder if they will follow teh operatic convention of using countertenors for "other worldly characters" eg elves, cf Midsummer nights Dream, Death in Venice, Flight....

Bêthberry · 03-18-2005, 01:37 PM

An update with some info: The musical will not open in London but will premiere in Toronto, Canada next spring. Here is the site with info on Lord of the Rings, the musical . (There's also a thread about this in Novices and Newcomers.)

12-22-2004, 10:22 PM	#1
Tigerlily Gamgee Hostess of Spirits Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Meduseld Posts: 1,055	I think this show could easily be a disasterous joke, but I hope that isn't the case. I'm just curious as to how they are going to get through all three books in one stage show. Is this going to be like one of those musicals from the late 1800's where you'd go and make a day out it... a six hour musical. I'm just wondering how they will do it justice while still keeping it a length that will suit the attention span of today's audiences. The good news is, though, that if it does take off in London, then it probably won't be long until it hits NY, and then it would probably tour... as that's how these things usually work. So, more of us may be able to see it later on. Me, I'd love to be able to audition. Musical theatre is my major, and everyone always tells me I look like Eowyn. sigh If only I had an agent overseas. __________________ ~ ExerciseJunky.com (Hobbits fitness of choice!)~ ~Lady of Rohan: An Eowyn Fansite ~ ~The NEW/OLD Barrow Downs Photo Page~

03-13-2005, 12:54 PM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Actually, I think it could work - and balance out a lot of my quibbles about the lack of psychological depth in the film (seeing the programme about Acorn Antiques lat night is making me feel benevolent about musicals). I don't think that many of the original songs would be appropriate even if they have the authority to use them, but one of the great advantages of the format is that it is perfectly acceptable to have a narrator ( cf the Auden/ Britten opera/musical "PAul Bunyan") and for characters to soliloquise. This enables an awful lot of "cutting to the chase". The radio version used music and song to move the plot on very effectively. Also, even otherwise mediocre productions can have huge impact with staging. Obviously it could not show everything, but I think you could fit in more than you might expect. there is an awful lot of description in the books which can be evoked by music, lighting etc . Anyway... I am tempted to give it a crack... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

03-13-2005, 01:59 PM	#4
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I think I might change my mind on this one and I would risk going to see this. I say risk, because I could well still run out of there shrieking, but I've had two good experiences with such things now. I've seen the Sound of Music live, which was a good laugh, mainly as it was openly self-referencing and just amusing and nostalgic. I also went to see Jerry Springer The Opera, purely as I was entirely intrigued and reading the reviews posted outside the theatre tempted me to go. I thought it couldn't possibly work but it did. The best part was seeing all the serious opera and theatre types in there, the sort of people who would never dream of tuning into Springer! 'Tis not for the faint hearted though, and I suspect an LotR musical would be similarly um ....challenging, but in a different kind of way. __________________ Gordon's alive!

03-18-2005, 01:37 PM	#6
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	An update with some info: The musical will not open in London but will premiere in Toronto, Canada next spring. Here is the site with info on Lord of the Rings, the musical . (There's also a thread about this in Novices and Newcomers.) __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

03-13-2005, 12:17 PM	#2
malkatoj Wight Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: A hovel in Florin Posts: 173	I like musicals, and I like Lord of the Rings. But it's hard enough adapting something to the screen. I imaine that if I lived in London and saw it, I would get hom and be like "They forgot this part! And this part! And you couldn't tell this!" I bet I would like it if I viewed it as a seperate thing from the books, but that's so hard. I hope they use the songs from the books. Haha I can see Legolas dancing around singing...this could be very interesting.