Condensing J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic tale of a young hobbit entrusted with a powerful ring that must be destroyed in the fires of a far off place to prevent a dark lord from conquering their lands into three hours of musical theatre is quite a feat.
I’m reminded of that other Ring, however, created by Richard Wagner, spreading across 4 performances and nudging 16 hours of music theatre that, to the aficionado, is both transformative and a surprising doddle.
The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is pretty much neither. The sum of Matthew Warchus and Shaun McKenna’s book and lyrics with music by Grammy and Academy Award winning musician A R Rahman, Finnish folk music band Värttinä and Tony Award-winner Christopher Nightingale is, at most, a fair to middling outcome for Tolkien’s Middle-earth adaptation and adventures.
There’ll be mixed feelings from the legion of die-hard fans of Tolkien’s tale and director, writer, and producer Peter Jackson’s cinematic adaptation across multiple films. But, from my prime position, after all the joyous life and music that welcomes the audience to Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday celebrations, the ensuing quest feels drawn out and flattens – as if the narrative got stuck on a merry-go-round – despite the action being punctuated with a series of spectacular stage effects.
Overseen by resident director Therèsa Borg based on English director Paul Hart’s entertaining and energetic base, the creative team behind the sets, special effects, puppetry, lighting and sound design are to be commended with results of grand dimensionality.
The sight of the malevolent Dark Lord Sauron’s screeching Ringwraiths or Black Riders charging across the stage is something chilling. Gandalf’s initial death after the battle in Moria, where he is plunged into the depths, is a tidal stage force, the wild balletic scenes featuring the masked Orcs are truly menacing, while the puppetry of the giant spider Shelob, crawling and scampering in attempts to do away with the entrusted hobbit Frodo and his loyal friend Samwise, is a creepy, terrifying work of genius. It all blends in with Simon Kenny’s solidly delineated and adaptable designs.
Rarmian Newton as young Frodo and Wern Mak as Samwise are an endearing leading double-act and their touching Act 2 duet, Now and For Always is one of the show’s true highlights. They’re part of the awesome foursome comprising Frodo’s cousins Merry (Jeremi Campese) and Pippin (Hannah Buckley).
Less appealingly depicted are their fellowship of allies but the local ensemble, totalling 32 actor-musicians in all, certainly show talent. Notable performances come from Laurence Boxhall’s grotesque, animalistic Gollum, Laurence Coy’s genial Bilbo and Jemma Rix’s ethereal and radiant Galadriel.
One of the issues at hand, however, is the prevalence of grand, lofty and resonating speech delivery that comes across as a disappointing veneer, especially that seen in Terence Crawford’s otherwise nobly portrayed Gandalf and Rob Mallett’s chivalrous Strider.
Pleasant, though, is the strong Celtic and folk flavour in much of the music, beginning with the jubilant Prologue (Springle-ring) by the lively ensemble sporting their instruments and enhancing the immersive experience. Another standout is Coy’s warm rendition of Bilbo’s The Road Goes On and Rix’s crystalline vocals elevating Galadriel’s The Final Battle splendidly.
For the masses, The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale offers a captivating journey into Tolkien’s world, with enough standout performances and generously melodic score accompanied by striking visuals to impress. By the three-quarter mark, it will have worn out its welcome for some but what it may very well do is inspire those unfamiliar with the intricacies and depth of Tolkien’s story to delve deep into the source material.
The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale
Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Performance: Thursday 1 May 2025
Season continues to 8 June 2025
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au
Following the Melbourne, The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale will play at HOTA – Home of the Arts, Gold Coast from 4 July 2025. For more information, visit: www.lotronstage.com for details.
Images: Rarmian Newton as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale – photo by Daniel Boud | Jemma Rix as Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale – photo by Daniel Boud | Rarmian Newton as Frodo Baggins and Laurence Boxhall as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale – photo by Daniel Boud
Review: Paul Selar