The Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale - Newbury / Plymouth

[fiyero]

I’d assumed I wouldn’t be able to make it to this but mentioned it to a friend who is up for it too! How are the slips seats? They are the only ones in our budget really. Never been to the venue.

[David J]

If you’re tall your knees will be up against the railing. You’ll also miss any action below you but the intimacy of the theatre makes up for it

I’d say the further you are to the front end of the slips, rather than above the stage, the better the view

[fiyero]

Jun 11, 2023 13:16:57 GMT David J said:

If you’re tall your knees will be up against the railing. You’ll also miss any action below you but the intimacy of the theatre makes up for it

I’d say the further you are to the front end of the slips, rather than above the stage, the better the view

Thanks, booked!

[ceebee]

Not long to go now before this production starts! I've enjoyed the teaser videos and social media updates - is anybody else stupidly excited about this show? It seems to be selling very well. Will be interesting to see if it has life beyond the Watermill. Really hope the cast, creatives and crew make this something special - it's a show that deserves a new life and a new audience.

[toomasj]

Jul 17, 2023 9:53:16 GMT ceebee said:

Not long to go now before this production starts! I've enjoyed the teaser videos and social media updates - is anybody else stupidly excited about this show? It seems to be selling very well. Will be interesting to see if it has life beyond the Watermill. Really hope the cast, creatives and crew make this something special - it's a show that deserves a new life and a new audience.

I too am very hopeful and optimistic for a wonderful theatrical experience, and likewise have been following the theatre’s social media, interviews and pressers with great interest. I will be attending a couple of weeks into the run and will report fully on the long journey home!

Please feel free to ignore the below predictions, which I have spoiler tagged because they make reference to stage effects used in the original production. The below is predictions of how I see it staged, which could be a million miles wrong but is from piecing together clues, nothing more!

SPOILER: Click to show

I am intrigued how the outside portion will be staged. If I were to guess, I predict that on arrival guests will be housed on the lawn with an outdoor bar, and encouraged to gather around a small staging area by a mixture of in-character hobbits and the volunteer ushers. I think that the pre-show from the original production will be adapted and reworked to take place as Bilbo’s birthday party, with hobbits mingling with the audience and doing their dances/firefly chasing etc from the original production for world building. I imagine this will lead straight into Bilbo’s birthday party scene, performed on a small stage.

For his disappearance, sight lines will be crucial assuming they reuse the classic 2 way mirror effect, which relies on careful control of lighting conditions (matinees might be tricky?), so like in London hobbits will probably be sat directly in front to mask reflections from the audience/lights/sun. Or they might do it completely differently, but it’s fun to speculate!

After this scene, I think the doors will be opened and the audience ushered to their seats inside the theatre for the remainder of the performance.

I read they are looking for sponsors to donate flower seeds, so each audience can be given a packet upon arrival to, as the press release states, “create a new corner of Middle Earth at home”. Maybe paper hats for Bilbo’s party? All pure speculation!

My guesses are based on the fact that audiences won’t be seated and led outside, so the only time the outdoor portion could take place is before the audience have been sat. It would be a logical nightmare any other way.

[theatrenerd]

[ceebee]

Jul 21, 2023 13:28:22 GMT theatrenerd said:

That is beautiful - everything I hope it would be and more.  I can't wait for this production!

[Boob]

So gorgeous! What a beautiful arrangement, beautifully delivered.

[toomasj]

This is going to be brilliant just as I hoped all these years. Already booked twice including the “special” Bilbo show. Can’t wait!!

[ruthieh]

Beautiful sound from a a beautiful setting…can’t wait!

[notmymuse]

Well, that was rather nice. I loved this at Drury Lane and have listened to the soundtrack to death. I predict critics will either say that the stripped back production either shows how lacking the book/music was originally now all the effects are gone, or they'll say stripping it back allows the book/music to shine. Hopefully the latter. Am considering making the journey but it's quite a trip...

[ntherooh]

Anyone going to see this show this week? I absolutely love the score and I’ve got one day in london this summer. Contemplating making the trip, but don’t quite know what to expect. Never been a big risk taker in theater 😅.

[toomasj]

If anyone does go this week, a detailed report would be very welcome, even though I only have to wait a few weeks to see it myself! No detail will be too small, I am obsessed with this show and don’t mind spoilers if tagged!!

[ruthieh]

I’m going on 1st to press night…

[ceebee]

I am going next Saturday - happy to report back.

[akh]

Where to begin…unfortunately, it was raining this evening so nothing outside took place and they moved it inside. The cast went round the audience chatting to people in character, the outside bit inside. I don’t want to say too much about the show as it might spoil it for others. There were bits I loved and others not so good. I liked the staging, some clever ideas for a small theatre and the actor musicians were very good, on the whole. I did feel that the hobbits were a little big and the elves a little small. I did love Gollum, even though he had too much meat on his bones, he was very much the character. There was one character which I was disappointed in, but will let others form an opinion their own opinion. I would have cut some of the music. It started at 7:30pm and finished at 10:50pm, so quite long. When I got home I had an email telling me it was running at 3 hours 30 minutes, a little late. We did not go outside at the end as it was still raining - to be honest I was ready for it to end then. Once again they did the outside bit inside. All in all I did enjoy it and feel it is well worth going to see.

[toomasj]

Jul 27, 2023 1:34:18 GMT akh said:

Where to begin…unfortunately, it was raining this evening so nothing outside took place and they moved it inside. The cast went round the audience chatting to people in character, the outside bit inside. I don’t want to say too much about the show as it might spoil it for others. There were bits I loved and others not so good. I liked the staging, some clever ideas for a small theatre and the actor musicians were very good, on the whole. I did feel that the hobbits were a little big and the elves a little small. I did love Gollum, even though he had too much meat on his bones, he was very much the character. There was one character which I was disappointed in, but will let others form an opinion their own opinion. I would have cut some of the music. It started at 7:30pm and finished at 10:50pm, so quite long. When I got home I had an email telling me it was running at 3 hours 30 minutes, a little late. We did not go outside at the end as it was still raining - to be honest I was ready for it to end then. Once again they did the outside bit inside. All in all I did enjoy it and feel it is well worth going to see.

I am none the wiser after this review!

If you type [ SPOILER ] your review here [ /SPOILER ] but without the spaces perhaps you could go into a little more detail? I’d love to know more about the performances, the effects, what the “outside bit” would entail, everything really!

SPOILER: Click to show

like this

[ceebee]

My interval update (no spoilers)...

OMFG.

More details to follow but this is one hell of a preview.

[toomasj]

Jul 29, 2023 20:21:33 GMT ceebee said:

My interval update (no spoilers)...

OMFG.

More details to follow but this is one hell of a preview.

Fantastic! Full write up later please and I’ll love you forever. I am so excited to see this I don’t care a jot about spoilers! enjoy the second (and third) act!

[ruthieh]

I’ve heard great things too…going Tuesday and can’t wait!

[notmymuse]

I especially want to know about the start/end but outside. I think I'll end up going alone to this one and if I have to sit with random strangers/stand alone awkwardly while actors occasionally try and talk to me, it'll all be a bit too much so I'd probably stay away...

[ceebee]

Right... I've literally just got home after driving 120 miles, so will post a more detailed write-up in the morning...

This show is in remarkable shape considering it is still in previews. Anybody who wants to doubt whether an actor-muso version of Lord of the Rings can be done needs to get their backside down to Newbury promptly.

For me, the first half was almost flawless. Strong characterisations, superb musicianship, some slick theatrical tricks and techniques that I wouldn't have believed possible in such a tiny theatre like the Watermill. The design of this production... oh, wow... the design... A really simple, clever and effective set with all sorts of little secrets hidden within that reveal themselves as the show goes on. You'll get no spoilers from me - in fact, just stop reading and go buy your tickets while you still can.

It's not perfect - it's previewing and they're working out what works / what doesn't. So what doesn't? The time to decant the audience from the grounds into the theatre (and then back out again at the end) was time-consuming, largely due to (and I hate to sound prejudiced when I say this...) the elderly nature of some of the audience. It takes people of a certain age just a little bit longer to mobilise. On a damp/slippy day, this would be compounded and for me the external/internal aspects are slightly laboured. The first external section works really well as it feels very immersive and there is some good interaction between cast and audience (don't worry notmymuse I went alone and you can just linger under one of the gazebos if you'd rather not sit at a table Wagamama style with strangers - there's a comfortable space for everybody and there's no enforced jollity audience participation). So, the intro works well.

The final scene though, whilst really charming and magical in the balmy 20 degrees summer evening with a light breeze and no rain, might prove to be annoying for anybody standing around in light drizzle and 10 degrees early autumn evening... That said, conceptually, I love the idea that the show starts and ends in the garden area, as when you enter the theatre it does feel "other worldly", and for me a little unsettling.

This show moved me in ways I didn't expect it to. It was a joy to hear the music again in a pared back folk style, yet with some good use of brass and percussion. I found some elements profoundly moving, and other elements funny - this show is less epic than the original west end version, and it is better for it. It feels earthier, more organic, less ethereal, more real.

I will provide more info in the morning as I am tired after the show/drive and it's nearly 1.00am. What I will say though is that I doubt you will see a harder working ensemble. What the Watermill has managed to achieve is nothing short of a miracle with the space and the material. Certain aspects will tighten up / change during previews, and if I was part of the cast I think I would be exhausted. If this doesn't sound too daft, the Watermill has produced a small-scale hobbit sized EPIC! I really hope this production captures the collective imagination and I would love to see it evolve into something transferrable once the run finishes. The original producers of the show were watching this evening, so perhaps there is life for this new version.

Oh, and for anybody who was wondering, there is a revolve. Not on the scale of the Drury Lane revolve, but definitely a revolve. Oh, and there is a lift - again, not on the scale of Drury Lane, but for anybody who is familiar with the intimate size of the Watermill, hopefully these two pieces of information will set you thinking.

More in the morning - in summary, the first half was nigh-on perfect. The second half needs to be a bit tighter. I'll focus more on some of the exceptional performances in my next post.

If you have even a fleeting interest in seeing this show, book your tickets because I think once word-of-mouth builds and reviews take place, you might struggle to get a seat.

[ceebee]

Okay, so it’s the morning after… Does this show look and feel as good as it felt last night? It feels better. So much so, that I have booked some return trips to the Shire. This is going to be a long one, so I apologise in advance if you don’t enjoy rambling posts. I will also not be putting spoiler tags in so if you don’t want details of the production, scroll down now. This is NOT a review, though it might read like one. It is simply my recollection of a fantastic evening.

To begin, I saw the original London version of LOTR at Drury Lane a few times, and fell in love with the music and the epic scale and staging. The Watermill is clearly never going to be able to match what went on in Drury Lane – it doesn’t have the space or indeed the budget! However, what I watched last night was nothing short of a minor theatrical miracle.

The show opens in the grounds of the Watermill on the lawn area by the bar to the rear of the theatre. You can mill around on the front lawn, enjoy a drink or a snack for a bit beforehand, and then go through to the main garden, which has been transformed into the Shire. (This has been featured in news coverage so it’s not a “secret”.) There is a raised circular stage with flooring that nods to the original circular stage at Drury Lane which contained multiple hydraulic lifts. This one clearly doesn’t… But it is a nice design touch and will resonate with anybody who remembers the earlier production. There are lights hanging around the garden, plenty of seating in the form of picnic tables, benches, and gazebos to stand under should it rain.

The Shirefolk enter the space around ten minutes before the show starts and play outdoor games together and with willing audience members, and there is plenty of banter and laughter. The cast mingle and a really lovely touch (in my view) was Bilbo Baggins thanking individual audience members for coming to his eleventy-first birthday.

Things kick off with a welcome and an intro, plus a song before the audience is invited into the theatre. I’ll give no more details of this section other than to say it is fun and is a charming way to open the show. On entering the theatre, you are faced with a “wooden” set of a large wooden knot back wall (used to great effect through the show) and celtic style patterns. The set complements the theatre so well and feels very rustic. The stage goes right up to Row A and the action at times is very close, almost on top of the audience (puppetry, stage-fight etc), and this is no bad thing! There are four long ladders that double up as towers/trees, very minimalistic. This set is a box of tricks with lots of delightful hidden features, which I will not go in to in particular detail other than to say there is a revolve and a lift, both used to excellent effect.

The lighting is stunning, the sound is fantastic, and there is some brilliant use of projections and other effects (without being tech overkill) to help bring added dimension to the show.

I’m not going to tell the story or recount the show bit-by-bit, there is waaaay too much going on to be able to do that. What I will say though is that this is a true ensemble and the musicianship is of the highest quality – nice to see actor-musicians back from previous shows (Charlotte Grayson / Elliot Mackenzie – real ‘team players’) along with people I’ve seen in other work (Geraint Downing). But this show isn’t just about the music – it requires some hefty acting chops too, and for me the cast were all very strong. A particular standout for me was Matthew Bugg as Gollum – wow, what a fantastic physical performance he gives. Amelia Gabriel’s Pippin is adorable, sweet, innocent, and permanently hungry! She complements Geraint Downing’s Merry really well and they bounce off each other superbly. Aoife O’Dea’s Arwen is enchanting, vocally strong and she plays the harp beautifully. As for Georgia Louise’s Galadriel… what a powerhouse performance she gives. Absolutely brilliantly cast in the role, with absolute mastery of her acting and vocal to deliver a precise, controlled but powerful performance. Aaron Sidwell as Aragorn and Yazdan Qafouri as Legolas both put in equally strong performances, particularly Qafouri in Lothlorien.

I found Nuwan Hugh Perera as Sam to be very lively and sprightly and a loyal companion to Frodo. Having seen him in “Life of Pi” I enjoyed seeing him in this role, particularly as the plot gets darker in the second half. Tom Giles as Elrond/Saruman brings a lot of nuance to his characters and I felt that he really lives his roles – a charismatic presence, and great casting. Similarly Folarin Akinmade as Gimli singing the lament (one of my favourite songs) is a strong singer and there is a depth to his role, yet plenty of humour between the dwarves and the elves also!

I can’t mention everybody but must call out Peter Dukes' Boromir… A lively performer in the opening outdoor scenes, Dukes has a strong presence, brilliant ad-libbing skills with the audience, and his Boromir has the gravitas required for the role. A really great performance. John O’Mahony as Bilbo charms everybody from the moment he speaks outdoors, and that carries through indoors as things become darker and more desolate. Plus he’s a whizz on the harmonica! Peter Marinker is exactly how I would want Gandalf to be – an authoritative, wise elder. I was transfixed by his performance, which despite a couple of line slips was truly excellent. A real craftsman who has clearly put a huge effort into his character. As for Louis Maskell… Well, his performance is spellbinding. A fidgety, edgy, complex and slightly resigned Frodo, which some excellent physical quirks, and lots going behind the eyes as he looks out to the audience.

It is impossible to call out any particular performer as being outstanding, as this production is a sheer triumph of the power of a strong ensemble, combined with brilliant musicianship, an excellent score and story, and a brilliant creative team. I am in awe of what they have achieved with this production, which for a preview was technically brilliant. The first half for me was one of the best things I have seen in a long time; the second half needs a little tightening up in places, but I could see copious notes being scribbled down by members of the creative team, and to have mounted anything of this scale or ambition at the tiny old Watermill Theatre is something I can’t actually get my head around.

No stone has been left unturned, no effort wasted, no ambition too large to be accommodated into this production. It has literally exhausted every opportunity to present this work in the very best form in the very best environment. Each and every one of the cast, crew, creatives and the Watermill theatre as a whole, should feel utterly proud of what they have achieved with this show. It is off-the-scale good. It has repackaged the most expensive show ever produced in London, and taken it from a glitzy west end epic but bombastic show to a more modest, intimate, still epic but smaller scale Shire show.

This show was made for the Watermill and it deserves to have a life beyond Newbury if possible where I could see it being scaled up or adapted further for a tour or smaller west end venue. What they have achieved is a unique, special and beautiful production that will profoundly move you, make you smile, at times make your jaw drop, and above all reinforce your faith in the power of theatre and those who go to such great efforts to ensure that theatre continues to thrive, and in the case of the Watermill – against the odds!

A six-star preview. Buy tickets while you can. This will sell out.

[westendboy]

Jul 30, 2023 11:16:50 GMT ceebee said:

Okay, so it’s the morning after… Does this show look and feel as good as it felt last night? It feels better. So much so, that I have booked some return trips to the Shire. This is going to be a long one, so I apologise in advance if you don’t enjoy rambling posts. I will also not be putting spoiler tags in so if you don’t want details of the production, scroll down now. This is NOT a review, though it might read like one. It is simply my recollection of a fantastic evening.

To begin, I saw the original London version of LOTR at Drury Lane a few times, and fell in love with the music and the epic scale and staging. The Watermill is clearly never going to be able to match what went on in Drury Lane – it doesn’t have the space or indeed the budget! However, what I watched last night was nothing short of a minor theatrical miracle.

The show opens in the grounds of the Watermill on the lawn area by the bar to the rear of the theatre. You can mill around on the front lawn, enjoy a drink or a snack for a bit beforehand, and then go through to the main garden, which has been transformed into the Shire. (This has been featured in news coverage so it’s not a “secret”.) There is a raised circular stage with flooring that nods to the original circular stage at Drury Lane which contained multiple hydraulic lifts. This one clearly doesn’t… But it is a nice design touch and will resonate with anybody who remembers the earlier production. There are lights hanging around the garden, plenty of seating in the form of picnic tables, benches, and gazebos to stand under should it rain.

The Shirefolk enter the space around ten minutes before the show starts and play outdoor games together and with willing audience members, and there is plenty of banter and laughter. The cast mingle and a really lovely touch (in my view) was Bilbo Baggins thanking individual audience members for coming to his eleventy-first birthday.

Things kick off with a welcome and an intro, plus a song before the audience is invited into the theatre. I’ll give no more details of this section other than to say it is fun and is a charming way to open the show. On entering the theatre, you are faced with a “wooden” set of a large wooden knot back wall (used to great effect through the show) and celtic style patterns. The set complements the theatre so well and feels very rustic. The stage goes right up to Row A and the action at times is very close, almost on top of the audience (puppetry, stage-fight etc), and this is no bad thing! There are four long ladders that double up as towers/trees, very minimalistic. This set is a box of tricks with lots of delightful hidden features, which I will not go in to in particular detail other than to say there is a revolve and a lift, both used to excellent effect.

The lighting is stunning, the sound is fantastic, and there is some brilliant use of projections and other effects (without being tech overkill) to help bring added dimension to the show.

I’m not going to tell the story or recount the show bit-by-bit, there is waaaay too much going on to be able to do that. What I will say though is that this is a true ensemble and the musicianship is of the highest quality – nice to see actor-musicians back from previous shows (Charlotte Grayson / Elliot Mackenzie – real ‘team players’) along with people I’ve seen in other work (Geraint Downing). But this show isn’t just about the music – it requires some hefty acting chops too, and for me the cast were all very strong. A particular standout for me was Matthew Bugg as Gollum – wow, what a fantastic physical performance he gives. Amelia Gabriel’s Pippin is adorable, sweet, innocent, and permanently hungry! She complements Geraint Downing’s Merry really well and they bounce off each other superbly. Aoife O’Dea’s Arwen is enchanting, vocally strong and she plays the harp beautifully. As for Georgia Louise’s Galadriel… what a powerhouse performance she gives. Absolutely brilliantly cast in the role, with absolute mastery of her acting and vocal to deliver a precise, controlled but powerful performance. Aaron Sidwell as Aragorn and Yazdan Qafouri as Legolas both put in equally strong performances, particularly Qafouri in Lothlorien.

I found Nuwan Hugh Perera as Sam to be very lively and sprightly and a loyal companion to Frodo. Having seen him in “Life of Pi” I enjoyed seeing him in this role, particularly as the plot gets darker in the second half. Tom Giles as Elrond/Saruman brings a lot of nuance to his characters and I felt that he really lives his roles – a charismatic presence, and great casting. Similarly Folarin Akinmade as Gimli singing the lament (one of my favourite songs) is a strong singer and there is a depth to his role, yet plenty of humour between the dwarves and the elves also!

I can’t mention everybody but must call out Peter Dukes' Boromir… A lively performer in the opening outdoor scenes, Dukes has a strong presence, brilliant ad-libbing skills with the audience, and his Boromir has the gravitas required for the role. A really great performance. John O’Mahony as Bilbo charms everybody from the moment he speaks outdoors, and that carries through indoors as things become darker and more desolate. Plus he’s a whizz on the harmonica! Peter Marinker is exactly how I would want Gandalf to be – an authoritative, wise elder. I was transfixed by his performance, which despite a couple of line slips was truly excellent. A real craftsman who has clearly put a huge effort into his character. As for Louis Maskell… Well, his performance is spellbinding. A fidgety, edgy, complex and slightly resigned Frodo, which some excellent physical quirks, and lots going behind the eyes as he looks out to the audience.

It is impossible to call out any particular performer as being outstanding, as this production is a sheer triumph of the power of a strong ensemble, combined with brilliant musicianship, an excellent score and story, and a brilliant creative team. I am in awe of what they have achieved with this production, which for a preview was technically brilliant. The first half for me was one of the best things I have seen in a long time; the second half needs a little tightening up in places, but I could see copious notes being scribbled down by members of the creative team, and to have mounted anything of this scale or ambition at the tiny old Watermill Theatre is something I can’t actually get my head around.

No stone has been left unturned, no effort wasted, no ambition too large to be accommodated into this production. It has literally exhausted every opportunity to present this work in the very best form in the very best environment. Each and every one of the cast, crew, creatives and the Watermill theatre as a whole, should feel utterly proud of what they have achieved with this show. It is off-the-scale good. It has repackaged the most expensive show ever produced in London, and taken it from a glitzy west end epic but bombastic show to a more modest, intimate, still epic but smaller scale Shire show.

This show was made for the Watermill and it deserves to have a life beyond Newbury if possible where I could see it being scaled up or adapted further for a tour or smaller west end venue. What they have achieved is a unique, special and beautiful production that will profoundly move you, make you smile, at times make your jaw drop, and above all reinforce your faith in the power of theatre and those who go to such great efforts to ensure that theatre continues to thrive, and in the case of the Watermill – against the odds!

A six-star preview. Buy tickets while you can. This will sell out.

I was already contemplating whether to go through with seeing this or not, as I've been fascinated with this show for about 10 years now. But after reading everything you've had to say about this new production, my enthusiasm has shot up! Travel distance may be an issue for me, but I'll try and find a way to experience this show for myself!

[NeilVHughes]

From the above review booked for a Sat matinee in Sep, always try to catch one musical a year, ceebee has often been a good indicator in the past when I choose my annual left field option.

Always loved my visits to the Watermill and this sounds like an excellent use of the space and here’s hoping for a warm, dry afternoon