Hobbit-bashing has been the sport of choice for a large section of the critical community this week. Even the worst attempts of the feral orcs, or the ephemerally sinister Black Riders cannot compete with the well-honed scabrous jibes that have guided themselves, like smart missiles, to the heart of this hyper-ambitious production.
Will it become a point of pride in months to come to have been one of those who drew blood on the first night? Or will this musical, in the same way as ‘We Will Rock You’ did, rise Terminator-like from apparently lethal attacks, and continue to entertain audiences for years to come?
People going to a musical are – consciously or not – in search of the epic: of the spectacle that will temporarily eclipse their lives, of the music that will hopefully drown out, rather than add to, their troubles. In Matthew Warchus’ stage-realisation of Frodo Baggins’ quest to dispose of the Ring and its accompanying dark powers, there are many moments that achieve this. There’s the appearance of the Black Riders, cleverly illuminated by Paul Pyant’s lighting design, so that they look both lethal and ghostly on their elegant articulated stilts. There’s also the point when Michael Therriault’s superb, tormented Gollum appears several feet up on the gnarled roots extending from the proscenium arch into the auditorium, and descends, head-downwards, in a gravity-defying journey to the stage.
But do such stunning moments make a musical? And does it allow you to forgive other less stunning aspects, such as very badly choreographed elves, or ridiculously sketchy battle-scenes? For the distinctly un-epic truth is that this is a curate’s egg of a production: highly enjoyable in parts, and risibly bland in others. The creators’ quest for the grail of theatrical success may continue to prove a rocky one.
This show is fanastic! I urge lotr fans and lotr haters to see this outstanding production. Walking into the auditorium was like stepping into Fangorn Forest, and having an orc come up and scare all sorts of words out of me was worth the ticket price!. All of those commenting negatively to this show: go again if you went to the first night preview or subsequent previews. it has settled into its seat at drury lane now. PLEASE DON'T END THIS SHOW ON JULY 19TH!! it needs far greater publicity and perhaps tv spots to bring people in. its the everyman show. not lovy duvy like phantom, not sickly like hairspray, its like the little bears bowl of porridge, just right!!!
The set was epic!
First part brilliant with a particularly awesome finale.
Last two acts were mediocre.
Acting varied from inspired (Hobbits Galadriel Gollum) to pathetic (Gimli and Boromir) -so much so that I was glad that Boromir died and wished that Gimli snuffed it in the first act (he was the stand -in however).
Overall a "3 out of 5"!!
I saw this show yesterday and thought it was absoloutely amazing! Ok there may have been some slightly less interesting parts to people who aren't a huge lotr fan, however the acting, props and just the whole show was very well presented. The first half ends increddibly! I have to say i loved the music, great harmonies and i just really liked it. GO AND SEE IT!!! i definetely will again!! And even if your not a lotr fan then still see it, the spectacle will leave you breathtaken whatever.
AMAZING!!!! ONE OF THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CRITICS ARE LOOKING FOR - PERHAPS THE CANDY THEY DROPPED DURING INTERMISSION - BUT THIS SHOW IS ONE OF THE BEST. HATS OFF TO IT. THE COURAGE IT TOOK TO PRODUCE THIS HAS BEEN WELL REWARDED.
I wanted to leave 10 minutes in. The acting varied between ham and wooden; the music was forgettable; the choreography appalling (what was all the Tai Chi stuff with the elves?); the singing was mediocre; the story so butchered as to be nonsensical. There were 3 less-than-dreadful things about it: Shelob was quite cool; the balrog was clever and the lighting design very impressive. However, on the whole: eye-gougingly, ear-splittingly terrible.
Whilst being a huge fan of these fantastic books and spectacular movies, I still went to see this production with a certain amount of skepticism. However! I was totally overwhelmed by the experience. It' still fair to say that the writers must have had an uphill (or underhill) battle and sacrifices had to be made of the story. However for any true fans the soul and essence of Tolkien's work shone through.
Breathtaking, terrifying and emotional!
There and back again!
An absolute turkey . Only the sets made this partly bearable. Lousy songs, poor acting and the elves with their sign language. Poor, poor poor and be surprised if it survives until Christmas. Bring back the producers or transfer wicked to Drury LAne. Still cannot believe I paid good money to watch this outrageous twaddle.
I've seen the show twice now and have to say that it is a truly amazing piece of theatre. I think for those who have trouble with the style of dialogue, they should re-read the original. The show is spot on. It's is a matter of taste, but I very much like the music - perhaps it could be a bit more raw in places. It certainly is not what one expects from the usual musicals in the West End. The set and lights are very impressive and as almost everyone says, Gollum is fantastic. I think it is simply a great night out.
This is without a doubt the worst thing (and i mean everything) i have ever seen. I expected the story to be drastically altered but i didnt think it would be soo unimpressive.
Cant think of a single redeeming thing to say about it
OK, so for a long term Tolkien fan its not ever going to be a patch on the books, but its not trying to be an epic, just a musical, with stunning effects and costumes and creativity you don't get with the standard west end shows. Some of the major singalongs could have benefited by having a pause before heading back full on into the story and the elves gesturing is annoying, but overall its fun, clever and a great night out. Gollum, as you would expect, steals the show. Well worth a visit. Try and get seats in the circle, towards the middle and you'll be up close and personal with a hobbit or two.
Definitely worth seeing for the staging and wonderful Gollum.
Just one note - avoid stalls seats. You miss out on a lot of the staging, and sound also if you're towards the back (underneath the Royal Circle). Royal Circle would be best, then upper circle, then may be stalls (but know then that it's a completely different experience, and don't complain that you didn't enjoy it!).
I saw this with a mate of mine a few weekends ago and we both thoroughly enjoyed it overall.
Production values were high and although Laura Michelle Kelly wasn't a main lead as in her previous stage roles such as Mary Poppins, she done a wonderful job.
The way the whole stage worked and the end of act one was amazing. Act two got a little slow in parts and by Act three, despite it getting very hot (due to a packed out theatre), it was very entertaining. Definitely worth watching and a great testament to J.R.R. Tolkien. Condensing a movie trilogy that's over 7 hours long into less than 3 hours must've been hard!
I loved the interaction with the audience, and the effects are awesome. All of the actors were good, but none really stood out for me. Plus the elves gesturing really got on my nerves. But overall the production was amazing.
I went to the premier/first night so of course all the cast were on top top top form, and for someone who can't abide Lord of the Rings (the books or the films), I had a really great time. To look at this is one of the most spectatular productions i have ever seen, and I've seen alot. Yes sometimes the music and script left a little to be desired but the elves songs were beautiful and the choreography was suberp!
Me and my partner went to see the show in review on a Saturday evening. She hated the films but liked the show so much, we went back the following Wednesday with the kids, who also loved it. A magnificent production. The cast and producers have created a true block-buster on stage - and what a stage!!
34 comments
This show is fanastic! I urge lotr fans and lotr haters to see this outstanding production. Walking into the auditorium was like stepping into Fangorn Forest, and having an orc come up and scare all sorts of words out of me was worth the ticket price!. All of those commenting negatively to this show: go again if you went to the first night preview or subsequent previews. it has settled into its seat at drury lane now. PLEASE DON'T END THIS SHOW ON JULY 19TH!! it needs far greater publicity and perhaps tv spots to bring people in. its the everyman show. not lovy duvy like phantom, not sickly like hairspray, its like the little bears bowl of porridge, just right!!!
The set was epic!
First part brilliant with a particularly awesome finale.
Last two acts were mediocre.
Acting varied from inspired (Hobbits Galadriel Gollum) to pathetic (Gimli and Boromir) -so much so that I was glad that Boromir died and wished that Gimli snuffed it in the first act (he was the stand -in however).
Overall a "3 out of 5"!!
I saw this show yesterday and thought it was absoloutely amazing! Ok there may have been some slightly less interesting parts to people who aren't a huge lotr fan, however the acting, props and just the whole show was very well presented. The first half ends increddibly! I have to say i loved the music, great harmonies and i just really liked it. GO AND SEE IT!!! i definetely will again!! And even if your not a lotr fan then still see it, the spectacle will leave you breathtaken whatever.
AMAZING!!!! ONE OF THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CRITICS ARE LOOKING FOR - PERHAPS THE CANDY THEY DROPPED DURING INTERMISSION - BUT THIS SHOW IS ONE OF THE BEST. HATS OFF TO IT. THE COURAGE IT TOOK TO PRODUCE THIS HAS BEEN WELL REWARDED.
I wanted to leave 10 minutes in. The acting varied between ham and wooden; the music was forgettable; the choreography appalling (what was all the Tai Chi stuff with the elves?); the singing was mediocre; the story so butchered as to be nonsensical. There were 3 less-than-dreadful things about it: Shelob was quite cool; the balrog was clever and the lighting design very impressive. However, on the whole: eye-gougingly, ear-splittingly terrible.
Whilst being a huge fan of these fantastic books and spectacular movies, I still went to see this production with a certain amount of skepticism. However! I was totally overwhelmed by the experience. It' still fair to say that the writers must have had an uphill (or underhill) battle and sacrifices had to be made of the story. However for any true fans the soul and essence of Tolkien's work shone through.
Breathtaking, terrifying and emotional!
There and back again!
An absolute turkey . Only the sets made this partly bearable. Lousy songs, poor acting and the elves with their sign language. Poor, poor poor and be surprised if it survives until Christmas. Bring back the producers or transfer wicked to Drury LAne. Still cannot believe I paid good money to watch this outrageous twaddle.
I've seen the show twice now and have to say that it is a truly amazing piece of theatre. I think for those who have trouble with the style of dialogue, they should re-read the original. The show is spot on. It's is a matter of taste, but I very much like the music - perhaps it could be a bit more raw in places. It certainly is not what one expects from the usual musicals in the West End. The set and lights are very impressive and as almost everyone says, Gollum is fantastic. I think it is simply a great night out.
This is without a doubt the worst thing (and i mean everything) i have ever seen. I expected the story to be drastically altered but i didnt think it would be soo unimpressive.
Cant think of a single redeeming thing to say about it
OK, so for a long term Tolkien fan its not ever going to be a patch on the books, but its not trying to be an epic, just a musical, with stunning effects and costumes and creativity you don't get with the standard west end shows. Some of the major singalongs could have benefited by having a pause before heading back full on into the story and the elves gesturing is annoying, but overall its fun, clever and a great night out. Gollum, as you would expect, steals the show. Well worth a visit. Try and get seats in the circle, towards the middle and you'll be up close and personal with a hobbit or two.
Definitely worth seeing for the staging and wonderful Gollum.
Just one note - avoid stalls seats. You miss out on a lot of the staging, and sound also if you're towards the back (underneath the Royal Circle). Royal Circle would be best, then upper circle, then may be stalls (but know then that it's a completely different experience, and don't complain that you didn't enjoy it!).
I saw this with a mate of mine a few weekends ago and we both thoroughly enjoyed it overall.
Production values were high and although Laura Michelle Kelly wasn't a main lead as in her previous stage roles such as Mary Poppins, she done a wonderful job.
The way the whole stage worked and the end of act one was amazing. Act two got a little slow in parts and by Act three, despite it getting very hot (due to a packed out theatre), it was very entertaining. Definitely worth watching and a great testament to J.R.R. Tolkien. Condensing a movie trilogy that's over 7 hours long into less than 3 hours must've been hard!
I loved the interaction with the audience, and the effects are awesome. All of the actors were good, but none really stood out for me. Plus the elves gesturing really got on my nerves. But overall the production was amazing.
I went to the premier/first night so of course all the cast were on top top top form, and for someone who can't abide Lord of the Rings (the books or the films), I had a really great time. To look at this is one of the most spectatular productions i have ever seen, and I've seen alot. Yes sometimes the music and script left a little to be desired but the elves songs were beautiful and the choreography was suberp!
Me and my partner went to see the show in review on a Saturday evening. She hated the films but liked the show so much, we went back the following Wednesday with the kids, who also loved it. A magnificent production. The cast and producers have created a true block-buster on stage - and what a stage!!
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