Sam Marlowe at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, WC2
2 for 1 tickets to Casablanca, this coming Monday
It’s finally here – the year’s most anticipated theatrical opening, costing £12.5 million and heralded by high hopes on one hand and prophecies of doom on the other. When I saw Matthew Warchus’s production in Toronto last year, I was dazzled and delighted by its ingenuity and visual invention. I was also frustrated by its slower, muddier passages, unimpressed by some key performances and deeply disappointed by its bungled climax.
Happily, almost everything that was wrong has been put right. Some will prefer the slick grandiosity of Peter Jackson’s films; others will sneer at the very idea of singing hobbits. It’s their loss. Warchus and his team have a created a brave, stirring, epic piece of popular theatre that, without slavishly adhering to J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, embraces their spirit. The show has charm, wit, and jaw-dropping theatrical brio; crucially, it also has real emotional heft.
Warchus’s and Shaun McKenna’s book has been streamlined, but at more than three hours the show is still long – yet it doesn’t outstay its welcome. Rob Howell’s stunning tree-roots design stretches out into the auditorium, and performers, too, spill from the stage, creating a fantastical environment that draws you in and grips you from beginning to end. Hobbits chase fireflies along the aisles; screeching, leather-clad orcs not only leap and somersault, on springed shoes, across the stage’s multiple revolving levels, but, startlingly, loom over unwary spectators. Frodo puts on the ring and vanishes before your eyes. Huge black riders and a hideously hairy giant spider, conjured through adroit puppetry and brilliantly lit by Paul Pyant, become creatures of genuine terror.
But there’s more here than spectacle. The music, by the Indian composer A.R. Rahman and the Finnish folk group Värttinä with Christopher Nightingale, airy and earthy by turns, carries and intensifies the story’s swell of feeling. Themes of friendship, of the destruction of innocence and a world divided by race and belief emerge powerfully. The bond between James Loye’s courageous Frodo and Peter Howe’s loyal Sam is warmly affecting. Malcolm Storry’s compelling Gandalf blends otherworldly wisdom with patriarchal concern, and Laura Michelle Kelly as Galadriel, a sweet-voiced golden vision who descends in a skein of silk, is both ethereally lovely and magisterial. When Rosalie Craig as Arwen bids farewell to Jérôme Pradon’s sexily charismatic Aragorn, you glimpse the timeless agony of women down the ages sending their men off to war.
Most memorable of all is Michael Therriault’s riveting Gollum, muttering, growling, slithering, crawling and darting, part insect, part reptile. Listening to Frodo and Sam comforting each other with an old fireside song, he is torn between longing, hateful resentment and flickering affection; Therriault’s evocation of a mind and body tormented and divided is extraordinary.
Peter Darling’s choreography thrills, from a rousing tavern song to welters of warring orcs to an aerial elfin ballet; and though Warchus keeps the stage constantly bustling there is not a note sung, not a movement or an effect that doesn’t serve the story.
The battle scenes still struggle to create a sufficient sense of scale; and the inevitable telescoping of Tolkien’s dense material can be disorientating. But snobbery and cynicism be damned: this show is a wonder. Go with an open mind, an open heart, and wide-open eyes, and prepare for enchantment.
Box office: 0870 8906002
A truly outstanding show. Think of it, less of a musical and more of a play with songs. It'll make sense if you see it. The music is, by the way, fantastic.
The London one is a LOT better than the Toronto production however, so if you saw the first and hated it, try Drury Lane!
IBDoyle, London,
Saw it in Toronto and absolutely loved it. One of the best live shows i've ever seen. How it failed to win and Olivier award, i'll never know.....Hope it has a long stay in London! It deserves it.
Kippy, Toronto, Canada
I am excited about A R RAHMAN's music.
prakash, Paris,
I think i had my say on this one:
Both husband and I thought it was a yawn of a high order!
I'd rather die than sit through 1 opera by Wagner!
So would the man.
If we both are seen at either LOTR or any Wagner, don't wake us up. We've heard it all before.
We'll wake up when something new happens.
Sweet dreams!
Carlyle, mighty mighty croydon, latin rules!
I saw LOTR last month and have to say that it was the most fantastic show i have ever seen in my whole life! For me it was a show where i could go and see it over and over again and the music and lyrics were unforgettable, the stage work was amazing, and the actors could not have been better picked. I was dissapointed in FRODO, he just didn't sound right, the accent was all wrong!! GANDALF was poor and so was SARUMAN. SARUMAN wasn't German was he?! Anyway, GALADRIEL was glorious and was stunning in her golden dress! I loved the way how they put small stilts on her shoes to make her look taller against the hobbits!! LOTR will never go out of my mind. As a young actor myself (16) my dream was to always make it to the West End. LOTR would be my ideal performance to be in. I reccommend this to anybody who has real immagination and to anyone who enjoys a change of scenery sometomes, xx
Luke Jackson, Oakham, Rutland
I'm sorry Phil from Lowestoft, but I completely disagree. The music was incredible, I defy YOU to do better. The lyrics and orcestral melodies were absolutely amazing, and if you bothered to listen rather than pompously "toying with the idea of leaving at the interval", you would have discovered that the songs told beautiful stories and entertaining tales.
As for the acting, the cast couldn't have been chosen better. You clearly have no idea about the art of theatre or acting, and merely decided to look down your nose and scoff. I suggest you get over yourself and your predjudices, which you clearly had from the outset, and keep your poisonous critisisms to yourself.
As a young actor, I highly recommend the show to anyone; it certainly blew me away.
Pascalle , Caldicot, Wales
Oh! dear! After reading so many good reviews here, I feel quite sorry to have to disagree with much of what has been said.
The start was indeed entertaining, trying to work out how they made the fireflies fly. The effects were spectacular. Superb even, especially the wind that encompasses the audience as well as Gandalf, the spider, and the brilliant forest.
The acting, sadly was wooden by some of the main characters. Gandalf and Saruman were simply not remotely magical, with Gandalf seeming to try and do a Shakespearian job on the performance, and failing badly with his stilted, staccato phrasing . Gollum was wonderful, and worked very hard indeed to make the character real. Galadriel was very well done.
The music and songs were instantly forgettable. I defy anyone to rememebr a single tune.
I toyed with the idea of leaving at the interval, as it' totally lacked any conviction. I really didn't care if they all fell into Mount Doom to be honest! Act 2 did improve.
phil, lowestoft,
Hi!! We have seen the lotr musical in london in the royal drury lane theatre and thought it was brilliant!! But does someone know where to find the lyrics or any information or media about the show? It's very important for us!!! And I (Vogue) saw a guy who truly impressed me. He wore a grey pullover, jeans and white sneakers and sat in the balcony. We crushed at each other before the performance. We went on august the nine. I'd like to hear of him again...is it possible? XXX
Vogue & Barbie, Rome, Italy
I was not looking forward to having to sit through a long production - but it was so worth it. The whole production was brilliantly fast moving. I loved the spectacle and dancing of the hobbits at the beginning, the haunting singing of the elves was reminiscent of bollywood and just right. Scary bits were scary...You probably did need to have an idea of the story to be able to follow what was happening, so I'd advise future audiences to read the book or see the films first. My whole evening blew me away. I'm quite uptight, but found myself carried with it and clapping madly at the end. I'd definitely go again.
Rosemary Blake, Loughborough, Leicestershire
I and three friends went to see LOTR one week after the previews started we understood there may be problems which there were, the whole thing broke down for about 10 min but nothing to serious. the reason that I'm writing a review is to give one tiny little bit of advice DO NOT I repeat DO NOT sit in the balcony or by the looks of it the upper circle, but definitely not the balcony. Its ok if you have the front row of the balcony but other than that no! We only saw a bit of the show from where we were but the bits we could see where amazing well worth going just to see the awesome stage. But just pay that bit more for your seats
James Poole, FARNHAM,
We have been lucky enough to see the show both in Toronto and again this week in London. It is without doubt the most engaging and enchanting performance we have ever seen on stage and we were once again utterly enthralled at the amazing performances from all the cast and especially those behind the scenes who were responsible for the stunning stage design, lighting, special effects and music that make this show so memorable. My husband and I are not aficionados of the stage - we simply want to experience theatre that leaves us feeling uplifted and privileged to have been a part of something special - and it doesn't get more special than Lord of the Rings. See it with an open mind and an open heart and celebrate the creativity, imagination and bravery of the British team that have finally brought something new and utterly unique to our theatres.
J S Thompson, York, UK
Having seen the show myself, I can only say this review is one of the few to reflect the magical wonder of the evening. It is a feast! The music is enchanting, with Lothlorien a beautiful haven. All the family were spellbound. The amazing visual effects, choreography and moving story combine, and there are moments when you can feel the audience collectively hold their breath! A wonderful evening.
ct, Cambridge,
I saw the production a few weeks into the preview. I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the whole production. It was a classic case of too much money on special effects and not enough attention to the real heart and magic of what could have been a fantastic production.
Laura Michelle Kelly was by far the best part of this production with a voice that outshone the whole cast. Gollum, too, was played extremely well and received the loudestapplause. The biggest dissapointment was Gandalf, played by Malcolm Storry. Every line was spat out with such ferocity that I was left feeling he had an anger managment problem or a mild case of tourettes syndrome. Whatever Storry's intention, the character lacked any sense of wisdom whatsoever.
Yes it is performed on a grand scale. Yes, some of the special effects were on a scale you would expect from a West End musical. But ultimately I wanted to leave after the first Act. All that kept me in my seat was the knowledge I had forked out £50.
Jonny Ayres, London,
Saw it last Thursday and absolutely loved the show. Everything about it was superb, the timing and pace spot on, the effects incredible and awesome. Wonderful mixture of songs and music which just carried you along.
Great to see so many young people in the audience when I was there and they were so enthusiastic right throught the performance. Do hope they urge all their family and friends to see it - it really is worth a visit.
Muriel Mayger, Maidstone, England
We saw it in the preview stages and absolutely loved it.
Surely the whole reason for going to the theatre is to be transported - there's too much emphasis on reality these days - long live fairy tales!!!!!!
Penny Dixey, London, England
We thought it was a total snooze--- really almost fell asleep in first 15 minutes. Some nice visual effects, but ovelry ponderous,confused and forgettable music. Don't call it a musical---call it an indulgence for "Ringies" !!!
theatregoer, London,
The critics have their opinion - and I would not gainsay their views of what they saw - but it was refreshing to read this review in The Times. I have now seen LOTR twice - on the second occasion with my wife who mirrored my own enthusiasm for the performance. Although I go to the theatre regularly - about once a fortnight - I am a Joe Bloggs off the street who enjoys a good tale well-told and performed! I am looking forward to taking my two grandchildren to the matinee on 22nd December.Long may the hairs on a Hobbits feet grow and this production prosper! Well done to all!!!!!
KEN EASTWELL, CANVEY ISLAND, ESSEX
I have seen two previews a week apart and the difference was very visible after reading your review I can't wait to see it again
Colin Searle, LONDON, uk
This show is the most spectacular, ingenuitive and enchanting musical currently playing in the world. The sheer genius behind the design of certain scenes delighted the audience, myself included. My friend and I were overwhelmed by the beauty and theatrical gall of this delightful musical. May it run, and delight, for a very long time.
John Bainton, Oxford, UK
What a pleasant surprise to read the rave review of this production..I saw "LOTR" in Toronto and along with a full house stood and cheered at the finale. I will never forget the nasty critics and their self centered reviews.It was a brilliant production and cast. Thanks to this review and others I hope this show has a very long life for all to see. I look forward to the CD and my next visit to London to see Lord of the Rings.
William F . Twibill, Concord, New Hampshire, USA
I can't wait to see LOTR - A R Rehman is one of the best composers in the world, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the amazing visuals on stage combined with his music
AD, England,
Thanks to the Times for giving "Lord of the Rings" the praise it is due. Most spectacular and rousing was the finale to the first Act.
The colours were magical, the dancing suoerb and Gollum a star. I saw this show with my family (three daughters & wife) for my eldest daughter's birthday on Monday night and we were all enthralled.
Recommend it to anyone
Simon Fisher, Sellindge, Kent, UK