Well there are now four versions of Lord of the Rings. The original book of course. Followed by the Cartoon movie that most of us have forgotten. Then the classic three movies of recent years via New Zealand – both versions of it. And the latest version being the Stage Play.
The first question is how do you condense the narrative of the LOTR into two and a half hours? Stretched out with numerous songs? The first movie managed this by just telling half the story and then running out of money re completion. The second movies did extended versions over three movies running to something like nine hours in total or more. The stage version was more direct and simply removed and simplified the narrative.
So the plot. Well in essence the same as all other versions of the story. Creature called Hobbit has task of destroying magic and evil ring which was created by the evil wizard. Has to go on long journey with several companions and has lots of adventures along the way. Other heroes fight many battles to drag the attention of the evil Wizard away from looking for the Hobbit and the ring. Hobbit called Frodo with friend Sam, gets to volcano where ring and another poor Hobbit end up in the lava. Ring destroyed so is the evil wizard along with the power of all the other magic rings.
This very simplistic description of the plot could do for any of the versions. You could make it a little more filling by talking about Gondor and Rowan. Except in the stage play you could not. Both these human countries become one and we have no horsemen or Rowan and Gondor is not even given a name. Several characters in the human lands are merged and many others such as Borimer’s brother simply cease to exist. If you are going to see this play looking for the Books or the Movie – forget it as this is a completely different version of the story.
The first half nb the escape to Kazakhdoomn and the death of Gandalf are pretty much the same. Shortened yes and condensed, but still all the important elements are there. But the second half of the story is very much condensed and considerably reedited.
If however you are looking for a self contained story in the two and a half hour time frame then this works. Purists be dammed, the play is self contained and enjoyable. One evenings entertainment is what you get. And as I said it works. The reediting is crafted to make complete sense. The characters that are there are not altered. The King that in my mind was always a metaphor for the once and future king is still there. Strider still has a character crisis in deciding whether to be a ranger or a king. His thousand year old lover still abandons immortality for him. His father in law Elrond still manages to abandon Middle Earth and sail of into the sunset.
Gandalf the Grey and White still dies. Still takes on the Balrog, still leads us through Kazakhdoom and leads man to freedom without revealing who he really is in terms of mythology – sorry to deep for this review.
The Hobbits are all there in their full glory. Including the bloody songs.
And here we do have a problem. The music – did I mention that this was actually a musical is utter crap. I am sure that as individual songs they might work for the Edinburgh Fringe. But as a major £25 Million pound stage play they are utter rubbish. On my way in I asked if there was a recording of the Musical and was told no. Thank god there wasn’t so I did not buy it. This is very much a case of let the buyer beware and I will never ever again consider buying a CD prior to hearing the musical.
However two good things can be said about the music. One that there is not a lot of it. This is not a Musical like Le Miz or Phantom of the Opera where every word is put to music. This is the old style Musical with words, plot and the occasional song. The Music which is there is completely in Character. The songs are either there as Character Pieces such as for the Hobbits, or the big “I am the King” pieces. Or they are plot devices for the battles. The battle scenes are more like set piece opera items and they work.
This is a musical for the kids. The start time is 7.30 but at 7.15 the hobbits come on stage and start routines for the kids. Like wise during the second half when things are getting a little well heavy plot wise the baddies come out along the seats to scare the kiddies. And in both occasions it works.
The other special part is of course the special effects. I don’t know where they spent £25 Million on it as in all honesty I have seen much better at other Musicals. But what is there is very good and works. From an early disappearing Bilbo from his birthday party putting on the magic ring to the great and evil Sheba the spider.
So will it last? Off course it will. The audience were clapping before the first scene was over. With the instant audience that something like this has there is no way it can fail. Add to that is the simple fact that it is enjoyable. While it is not ever going to produce a number one it the music works within the context of the production just don’t ever buy the CD. The kids loved it. I liked it and would certainly take Anna and my daughter to see it the next time we are all in London. But I would say to any series Book or Movie fans think before going to see it as you may feel a little disappointed plot wise. But for anyone else yes go and see it.
I did have one problem that had nothing to do with the play. The theatre Stalls where I had what I thought would be about the best seat in the house were terrible. I got a giant sitting in front of me – must have been about six foot two, and I could not see the stage. Said stage was to low. Then a gentleman on the left of me decided to lean into me for the second half. Body space be dammed he seamed to think. So for purely personal reasons I would recommend moving the production to a better theatre.
Enjoy if you go to see it.
Mark
15th July 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Mark Has a Character Named After Him in a Star Trek Novel
I would not exactly say that as an individual I am a superstar. But at the same time I have been on the front pages of most of the countries national papers. I have had a number of heavy weight business papers write about my activities at various times in the past. I have even written a few business articles myself and had them published in some of Scotland’s business magazines.
Google me and you will get several hundred entries. I am the Chairman of a rapidly growing company whose name is well known in it’s industry.
So am I a living legend, no. Am I famous – go look at the web site and decide yourself.
But I have had a character in a best selling novel named after me and before most of the above had ever happed into the bargain. Oh and did I mention my well known and read blogs? Okay I admit I am scraping the barrel a little here.
Off course they got my surname wrong in the book. But I have a signed copy from the author who posted it to me prior to the publication date into the bargain! And what are you asking does any of this have to do with either the future or Science Fiction? You may well ask!
Well I have to tell you a deep dark secret. I am as well as being a Doctor Who fan also a Star Trek Fan.
The book in question is “Dark Mirror” by Diane Duane, published by Simon & Schuster in 1993. Back in those days I was a very young eighteen. So lets get the boring bit about the book over first and then get back to the interesting bit of talking about me later.
The original series of Star Trek had one episode which I think is on every fans favourite list called “Mirror, Mirror”. The Captain, Dr McCoy, Uhura and Scotty all manage to get themselves transported into a Parallel Universe. By the way folks I am assuming at least a passing knowledge of the Star Trek Universe. While their alter counter points arrive at the same time in our Universe.
Everything is the same except that there is no United Federation only an evil Human Empire. And all the Counter Universe characters are mad, evil and homicidal maniacs. To cut a long story short our heroes can pretend to be uncivilised while their counterparts in our Universe cant. The other thing of interest is the much shall we say lighter dress mode of the female characters. This was of course original series trek and Kirk needs his female eye candy.
Now some years later after a run of successful films and a shuttle named Enterprise, Paramount the company that owned Star Trek had re launched it as The Next Generation. I think that most people are probably more familiar with this version than with the original series as it is now called.
At this time there was no sequel to the new series to the Mirror episode. There would be later in the next series of Star Trek called Deep Space Nine, and the last series called Enterprise. Or rather a two part prequel.
Star Trek has a very long tradition of books set in the Star Trek Universe. Unlike other SF franchises such as Doctor Who, Star Wars or Babylon 5 which treat the books set there as part of the true story in other words in the Star Wars Universe when Chewbacca dies in a book he is actually dead in the Star Wars Universe, here the books are fun but otherwise ignores. This even goes as far as the books ignoring each other as well. But I digress.
So this book in particular is a sequel to the Mirror episode but set in the time of the Next Generation.
And the character named after me is of course called Mark Stewart. Not Mark Kennedy-Stewart, just Mark Stewart. Which did cause some of my friends to doubt that the character was actually named after me until they saw the signed book by the author.
Now traditionally I should outline the plot of the book. But in all honesty it has been over twenty years since I read the dammed book and I can’t really actually remember what happens. Except the important bit – I die! I mean, I die or rather I am dead. So no sequel rights then not that I was ever paid anything for the use of my name.
But thanks to the internet:
“A gripping Star Trek: The Next Generation tale hearkening back to the original TV series episode, "Mirror, Mirror." That was the one in which Captain Kirk encountered his brutal alter ego in a parallel universe, a place where only the alternative Spock showed any humanity. Here, the alternative Enterprise draws Captain Picard's vessel into its alternative space, bent on capturing it and staffing it with a look-alike crew--all to spearhead an invasion of the Federation. Deanna Troi, Geordi La Forge, and Captain Picard outwit the scheme by transporting aboard the other Enterprise and turning its technology against the would-be conquerors. Here's where Duane's novel turns clever, with Picard assuming his doppelg„nger's role and discovering--among other things--just how malicious and threatening a Betazed can be and how bitter the alternative Dr. Crusher can be in the role of the "captain's woman." There's also a particularly nasty alternative Riker and a noble alternative Worf. The true Picard maneuvers his ship back into Federation space, but the alien follows; there's some manipulation of hyperstrings (with the help of a spacegoing dolphin) to send the bad Enterprise back where it belongs. Another capable entry in this series that always seems to be better than one would expect. John Mort --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.”
However there is at least one good bit in all of this. There are two of me in this story. The me from this Universe and the me from the evil Universe. Now just think how good this would be in real life if I could have another of me?
So as I said above there have now many years later been many episodes following up on the original Mirror episode in the various series in the TV series. There has even been a series of books written about the characters and events represented in all of these episodes. And they were quite enjoyable – no I am not going into all of the plots etc. But of course the events in my book were ignored!
So we have got that nasty book review over and done with. Now back to the important subject me!
What great deed did I do to inspire Diane to write about me? Ms Duane was attending a Star Trek Convention. She has written other books set in this large universe you know. I was there as a fan. There was a charity auction and I bit the most, for the right to appear in the book and dutifully paid my money over to the charity. So you see there is a nice side to me after all!
Mark
June 23rd 2007
Links:
http://www.dianeduane.com/ The Author
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek) The Mirror Episode where it all started.
Amazon Reviews
Star Trek
Google me and you will get several hundred entries. I am the Chairman of a rapidly growing company whose name is well known in it’s industry.
So am I a living legend, no. Am I famous – go look at the web site and decide yourself.
But I have had a character in a best selling novel named after me and before most of the above had ever happed into the bargain. Oh and did I mention my well known and read blogs? Okay I admit I am scraping the barrel a little here.
Off course they got my surname wrong in the book. But I have a signed copy from the author who posted it to me prior to the publication date into the bargain! And what are you asking does any of this have to do with either the future or Science Fiction? You may well ask!
Well I have to tell you a deep dark secret. I am as well as being a Doctor Who fan also a Star Trek Fan.
The book in question is “Dark Mirror” by Diane Duane, published by Simon & Schuster in 1993. Back in those days I was a very young eighteen. So lets get the boring bit about the book over first and then get back to the interesting bit of talking about me later.
The original series of Star Trek had one episode which I think is on every fans favourite list called “Mirror, Mirror”. The Captain, Dr McCoy, Uhura and Scotty all manage to get themselves transported into a Parallel Universe. By the way folks I am assuming at least a passing knowledge of the Star Trek Universe. While their alter counter points arrive at the same time in our Universe.
Everything is the same except that there is no United Federation only an evil Human Empire. And all the Counter Universe characters are mad, evil and homicidal maniacs. To cut a long story short our heroes can pretend to be uncivilised while their counterparts in our Universe cant. The other thing of interest is the much shall we say lighter dress mode of the female characters. This was of course original series trek and Kirk needs his female eye candy.
Now some years later after a run of successful films and a shuttle named Enterprise, Paramount the company that owned Star Trek had re launched it as The Next Generation. I think that most people are probably more familiar with this version than with the original series as it is now called.
At this time there was no sequel to the new series to the Mirror episode. There would be later in the next series of Star Trek called Deep Space Nine, and the last series called Enterprise. Or rather a two part prequel.
Star Trek has a very long tradition of books set in the Star Trek Universe. Unlike other SF franchises such as Doctor Who, Star Wars or Babylon 5 which treat the books set there as part of the true story in other words in the Star Wars Universe when Chewbacca dies in a book he is actually dead in the Star Wars Universe, here the books are fun but otherwise ignores. This even goes as far as the books ignoring each other as well. But I digress.
So this book in particular is a sequel to the Mirror episode but set in the time of the Next Generation.
And the character named after me is of course called Mark Stewart. Not Mark Kennedy-Stewart, just Mark Stewart. Which did cause some of my friends to doubt that the character was actually named after me until they saw the signed book by the author.
Now traditionally I should outline the plot of the book. But in all honesty it has been over twenty years since I read the dammed book and I can’t really actually remember what happens. Except the important bit – I die! I mean, I die or rather I am dead. So no sequel rights then not that I was ever paid anything for the use of my name.
But thanks to the internet:
“A gripping Star Trek: The Next Generation tale hearkening back to the original TV series episode, "Mirror, Mirror." That was the one in which Captain Kirk encountered his brutal alter ego in a parallel universe, a place where only the alternative Spock showed any humanity. Here, the alternative Enterprise draws Captain Picard's vessel into its alternative space, bent on capturing it and staffing it with a look-alike crew--all to spearhead an invasion of the Federation. Deanna Troi, Geordi La Forge, and Captain Picard outwit the scheme by transporting aboard the other Enterprise and turning its technology against the would-be conquerors. Here's where Duane's novel turns clever, with Picard assuming his doppelg„nger's role and discovering--among other things--just how malicious and threatening a Betazed can be and how bitter the alternative Dr. Crusher can be in the role of the "captain's woman." There's also a particularly nasty alternative Riker and a noble alternative Worf. The true Picard maneuvers his ship back into Federation space, but the alien follows; there's some manipulation of hyperstrings (with the help of a spacegoing dolphin) to send the bad Enterprise back where it belongs. Another capable entry in this series that always seems to be better than one would expect. John Mort --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.”
However there is at least one good bit in all of this. There are two of me in this story. The me from this Universe and the me from the evil Universe. Now just think how good this would be in real life if I could have another of me?
So as I said above there have now many years later been many episodes following up on the original Mirror episode in the various series in the TV series. There has even been a series of books written about the characters and events represented in all of these episodes. And they were quite enjoyable – no I am not going into all of the plots etc. But of course the events in my book were ignored!
So we have got that nasty book review over and done with. Now back to the important subject me!
What great deed did I do to inspire Diane to write about me? Ms Duane was attending a Star Trek Convention. She has written other books set in this large universe you know. I was there as a fan. There was a charity auction and I bit the most, for the right to appear in the book and dutifully paid my money over to the charity. So you see there is a nice side to me after all!
Mark
June 23rd 2007
Links:
http://www.dianeduane.com/ The Author
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek) The Mirror Episode where it all started.
Amazon Reviews
Star Trek
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