The Lord of the Rings musical | "Now and For Always" from 2023 UK revival
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Published 2023-07-21
The new 'semi-immersive' production begins performances at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury next week, with audiences following the story across the venue’s auditorium and garden spaces.
The show, which was first seen in Toronto in 2006 ahead of a West End premiere the subsequent year, is based on the classic trilogy by J R R Tolkien about a group of Hobbits who attempt to destroy a piece of malevolent jewelry. The series of novels was famously adapted into three Oscar-winning films by Peter Jackson.
The stage version has a book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus and music by A R Rahman (Bombay Dreams, Slumdog Millionaire), Finnish folk band Värttinä and Tony Award winner and Grammy-nominated Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical).
Set to appear (in alphabetical order) are Folarin Akinmade (Perfect Show for Rachel) as Gimli, Matthew Bugg (Zorro the Musical) as Gollum, Reece Causton (Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man) as ensemble, Kelly Coughlin (Avenue 5) as ensemble, Geraint Downing (A Christmas Carol) as Merry, Peter Dukes (Brief Encounter) as Boromir, Amelia Gabriel (Ride) as Pippin and Tom Giles (Miss Littlewood) as Elrond/Saruman.
Also cast are Charlotte Grayson (Whistle Down The Wind) as Rosie, Nuwan Hugh Perera (Life of Pi) as Sam, Bridget Lappin (The Rhinegold) as ensemble/Dance Captain, Georgia Louise (Tammy Faye) as Galadriel, Elliot Mackenzie (Whistle Down The Wind) as ensemble, Peter Marinker (Labyrinth) as Gandalf, Louis Maskell (The Grinning Man) as Frodo, Aoife O’Dea (Innocence) as Arwen, John O’Mahony (Fisherman’s Friends the Musical) as Bilbo, Yazdan Qafouri (The Band) as Legolas, Sioned Saunders (Amélie) as ensemble/onstage musical director and Aaron Sidwell (EastEnders) as Aragorn.
The production is designed by Simon Kenny, with musical supervision and orchestrations by Mark Aspinall, choreography by Anjali Mehra, lighting design by Rory Beaton, sound design by Adam Fisher, projection design by George Reeve, associate direction by Sibylla Archdale Kalid, puppet design by Charlie Tymms, and puppetry direction by Ashleigh Cheadle. The stage management team are Cat Pewsey (CSM), Katie Newton (DSM), Natalie Toney and Fern Bamber (ASMs) with Leila Stephenson (ASM Placement).
The Lord of the Rings is set to run from 25 July to 15 October 2023, with a press night scheduled for 1 August.
All Comments (21)
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Such wonderful memories. Had the honor of ioriginating the role of Legolas in Toronto. Glad so see it back after all these years.
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I feel like I've waited for this revival for DECADES, and, well, very nearly have! The soundtrack was always so spectacular.
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I saw this on Saturday and I was hugely impressed. The staging and adaptation were superb and the actors were fantastic with some real stand out performances. The musical virtuosity of the cast was also hugely impressive.
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This was the best thing I ever saw in the theatre. I saw it the day it closed at Drury Lane. Amazing musical
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Saw it last night. It was incredible. Blew all my expectations out of the water. If you can make it please go.
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The production at Dury Lane is, to this day, one of the best pieces of Theatre I have ever seen. I will never understand those critics. I was lucky to meet the cast after the show, including the 4 hobbits, and they were all so lovely. I'm so glad it's now getting another chance to shine.✨️
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I cannot express how excited I am to see this in a few weeks. I've loved the original cast recording for years, and so hoped it would come back one day. ❤
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This is a brilliant piece of music. I wish I could see it in the theatre. I cannot stop listening to this magical piece. ❤❤❤
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Saw it in London years ago. In my top 5 of shows I've seen. Very underrated musical!
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Beautiful! ❤ Greetings from the first ever Swedish production of The hobbit (2024).
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I went to see the original on stage 3 times, absolutely blew me away and I couldn't understand why they pulled it as it was truly magical. I had no idea it was back!!
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I saw it at Drury Lane as a kid and thought it was spectacular - couldn't believe it got panned, and critiqued so harshly. Really underrated musical...
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I saw this yesterday and it was absolutely incredible. One of the best shows I've ever seen on stage, and that's saying something.
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This is beautiful - everything I hoped it would be after seeing the original in Drury Lane. I know this version will be different in scale, and can't wait to see it!
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I've been obsessed with this musical, so happy it gets another chance!
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Saw this last weekend, the best theatre experience I’ve ever had it was beautiful
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Just saw the news that this version is coming to Chicago Shakespeare Theater and I am deeply excited.
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i saw the swedish musical back in 2011. and they covered this song so exceptionally. love this song with all my heart <3
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I NEED this cast recording 🥺🥺🥺
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Saw this last night at the Watermill theatre, absolutely amazing :)
