THE LORD OF THE RINGS musical returning as immersive experience in the UK

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 3/2/23 at 1:50pm

The open-air production will be staged at the Watermill Theatre in Berkshire 

I've been wondering why this show seemed to have fallen off the face of the Earth. This could be cool.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 3/2/23 at 2:10pm

I saw the show in both Toronto and London...once by choice, and once not. 

I don't care for the story, but the design was something to be seen. I remember thinking that the only thing they cut between the two productions was they made the hobbit dance in the pub a 10 minute dance and not a 20 minute dance. 

 

[Tag]

Posted: 3/2/23 at 3:35pm

The score and original orchestrations were quite good.

[darquegk]

Posted: 3/2/23 at 5:57pm

I love the album but never got to see the show or even read the script.

[DrewJoseph]

Posted: 3/3/23 at 7:08pm

One of my biggest regrets is not seeing this in London. I’d give alot for a second chance. This sounds really small scale though.

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 3/3/23 at 9:55pm

One of my favorite musical experiences. I flew special to London from Chicago  to see this bit of crazy and it was worth every penny. The score is so so lush. I would love it if they did it in concert but at this point Ill take what I can get,  Putting this one on the calendar :) 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 11:18am

 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 11:19am

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 11:21am

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[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 11:39am

Source?

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 11:55am

metropolis10111 said: "One of my favorite musical experiences. I flew special to London from Chicago to see this bit of crazy and it was worth every penny. The score is so so lush. I would love it if they did it in concert but at this point Ill take what I can get, Putting this one on the calendar :)"

I agree - I found the production to be quite thrilling, and the score is fantastic and very well suited for the source material.  I've always wondered why this show hasn't had more of a life or even had a US production (to my knowledge).  I think a reimagined production could elevate the score and give this show its due.  If those pictures are legit, it looks promising.  

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 12:21pm

CATSNYrevival said: "Source?"

 

This tweet from Theatremania

EDIT: BWW now has an article with images & video

Updated On: 7/31/23 at 12:21 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 1:06pm

Thanks!

[ILoveYourPuppies]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 2:56am

I know there was a lot of criticism the first time around, but I'd sell a kidney to be able to see this

[BJR]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 9:30am

I also recall the premiere and there being much criticism and largely, collective shrugs. But I must say, this production looks fascinating. A more intimate telling of this story could have some serious legs.

[Chase Miller]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 9:49am

What makes this immersive?

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 10:03am

Chase Miller said: "What makes this immersive?"

Came here to ask the exact same question. Looks like just a smaller scale production. Do these producers think that just because the stage comes out into the audience, it’s “immersive”? Talk about a buzzword I’m tired of seeing.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 10:47am

The Watermill website describes the beginning and end of the show as being performed outside in the garden. I assume that is still the case and they just didn’t release photographs of those scenes. It does say in the event of bad weather the entire show will be performed in the theatre.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 10:53am

So… not immersive. Got it.

[Tag]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 11:20am

The original production had a preshow with hobbits and their fireflies playing throughout the orchestra seating.  Was that immersive too?
(originally the preshow happened throughout the half hour, but was cut down to mere minutes for overtime reasons I believe)

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 11:59am

Tag said: "The original production had a preshow with hobbits and their fireflies playing throughout the orchestra seating. Was that immersive too?
(originally the preshow happened throughout the half hour, but was cut down to mere minutes for overtime reasons I believe)"

The more immersive aspect of the original production that I remember was during the second (brief) intermission, when Orcs suddenly appeared in various places throughout the fully lit house and scared the living **** out of people.  I was in the mezzanine and distinctly remember hearing random screams from below and immediately thinking there was a terrorist or something (sign of the times).  Just as the audience collectively realized it was just part of the show, the third act began with a big and unexpected boom.  It was definitely an effective way to unnerve the audience for the home stretch. 

[ILoveYourPuppies]

Posted: 8/3/23 at 12:51am

Rentaholic2 said: "Tag said: "The original production had a preshow with hobbits and their fireflies playing throughout the orchestra seating. Was that immersive too?
(originally the preshow happened throughout the half hour, but was cut down to mere minutes for overtime reasons I believe)"

The more immersive aspect of the original production that I remember was during the second (brief) intermission, when Orcs suddenly appeared in various places throughout the fully lit house and scared the living **** out of people. I was in the mezzanine and distinctly remember hearing random screams from below and immediately thinking there was a terrorist or something (sign of the times). Just as the audience collectively realized it was just part of the show, the third act began with a big and unexpected boom. It was definitely an effective way to unnerve the audience for the home stretch."

Someone give me a time machine right now

[BJR]

Posted: 8/3/23 at 9:35am

Anyone know the runtime of this prod?

[willep]

Posted: 8/3/23 at 6:11pm

What’s On Stage Review
 

Just one review, but it sounds lovely, I wish I could see it.

[Owen22]

Posted: 8/4/23 at 10:33am

Rentaholic2 said: "Tag said: "The original production had a preshow with hobbits and their fireflies playing throughout the orchestra seating. Was that immersive too?
(originally the preshow happened throughout the half hour, but was cut down to mere minutes for overtime reasons I believe)"

The more immersive aspect of the original production that I remember was during the second (brief) intermission, when Orcs suddenly appeared in various places throughout the fully lit house and scared the living **** out of people. I was in the mezzanine and distinctly remember hearing random screams from below and immediately thinking there was a terrorist or something (sign of the times). Just as the audience collectively realized it was just part of the show, the third act began with a big and unexpected boom. It was definitely an effective way to unnerve the audience for the home stretch."

I also remember a story from Toronto that the very realistic Shelob puppet caused a panic in one orchestra theatre goer who started screaming and couldn't stop and had to be removed.