Lord of the Rings to Music - A Review

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