Lord of the Rings musical tries for a comeback

1. LOTR Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Spencer Davis Milford Frodo and Tony Bozzuto Gollum Photo by Liz Lauren

In its previous on stage versions, it received a mixed review. Can the latest iteration of LOTR on stage cut through the last legacies?

The enchanting world of Middle-earth is making its way to Australia in a spectacular fashion with “The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale.” This ain’t your regular run-of-the-mill musical; it’s got elves, dwarves, and hobbits.

The adventure kicks off with Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday bash in the Shire, where he gifts his nephew Frodo a seemingly innocent gold ring. Little does Frodo know, this shiny trinket is about to launch him on an epic and perilous journey across Middle-earth to the darkest depths of Mordor. With his loyal Fellowship by his side, Frodo sets out to vanquish the evil threatening their world.

Now, you might be wondering, “A musical, really?” Oh yes, and it’s not just any musical. Picture this: a dynamic folk-inspired score performed live on stage, weaving together original music and storytelling in a way that would make even the sternest of dwarves tap their feet. The auditions have already kicked off in Australia to find the next generation’s Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, Gollum, Galadriel, Gandalf, Arwen, and Aragorn. If you’ve always dreamt of being a part of this legendary tale, now’s your chance.

Torben Brookman, on behalf of Australian co-producer GWB Entertainment, couldn’t contain his excitement. “This is a production that will delight The Lord of the Rings fans of all ages, whether you are 8 or 80, there is something for everyone in this brilliant telling of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic tale. It is the perfect show for the summer in Sydney and we could not be more delighted to bring the production to Australia,” he said.

The musical features a stellar lineup of creators—Shaun McKenna (Maddie, La Cava) and Matthew Warchus (Groundhog Day) have crafted the book and lyrics, while the original music comes from none other than Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman (Bombay Dreams, Slumdog Millionaire), Finnish folk band Värttinä, and Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical).

Presented in Australia by Kevin Wallace Productions, GWB Entertainment, Middle-earth Enterprises, Tim McFarlane, KHAM Inc, People Entertainment Group, The Watermill Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, this is one show you won’t want to miss. So, gather your Fellowship, dust off your wizard hats, and get ready for a magical journey through Middle-earth—right here in Australia.

STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON AT THE STATE THEATRE SYDNEY

FROM 7 JANUARY 2025

WAITLIST OPEN NOW AT LOTRONSTAGE.COM