THE LORD OF THE RINGS at the Watermill Theatre
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โThe nuances of the characters are beautifully executed, particularly up close on the small stage.โ
โWhen Mr Bilbo Baggins announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitementโ. And so opens J. R. R. Tolkienโs monumental โThe Lord of the Ringsโ; one of the best-selling books ever written. Since my early teens, Iโm not sure I have met anybody who hasnโt read it. The Sunday Times once stated that โthe English-speaking world is divided into those who have read โLord of the Ringsโ and those who are going to read itโ. Peter Jacksonโs trilogy of films echoes the epic scale of fantasy and adventure. How, then, can the story translate to a two-hundred-seater theatre in the Berkshire countryside? A good question, and one that becomes swiftly answered as we wander through the Shire, under an open sky, into Bilboโs much anticipated birthday party. Woodsmoke drifts from the gardens of the old mill down to the stream, with the scent of Hog roast floating among the jugglers and minstrels, while Hobbits mingle with โthe Big Folkโ. As the party reaches its end, we are ushered inside where the adventure begins. A very big adventure in a pretty small space, but The Watermill Theatre have concocted a production in which each element of the stagecraft would put the most hallowed wizard to shame.
It is telling that this adaptation by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus (with music by A. R. Rahman, Vรคrttinรค and Christopher Nightingale) is referred to as a โmusical taleโ rather than a musical. Shunning convention it avoids formulaic showtunes. Instead, the soundtrack follows the pulse of the emotions rather than the narrative; the underscoring seamlessly merging into song. Impressively performed by the actor-musician cast and ensemble, Mark Aspinallโs orchestrations ranges from folk to bar-room jigs, through to bombastic percussion-driven anthems, back again to the mysticism of the Celtic harp, whistles, fiddles and gorgeous voices.
โEach member of the cast deserves mention, and each could threaten to steal the showโ
Frodo, who has inherited the One Ring from his cousin at the birthday party has to undertake the quest to destroy the ring in the fires of Mount Doom. Louis Maskell carries the role with an instinctive ease that belies the demands of the emotional journey required. Nuwan Hugh Perera, as his companion Sam, is an unexpected voice of reason, merging light relief with solid support for his fellow hobbits. Across the board, the portrayal of the characters is natural, and paradoxically believable in all their other-worldly implausibility. Peter Marinkerโs Gandalf has the wizened wisdom that keeps his power in check. Both Georgia Louise, as the Royal Elf Galadriel, and Aoife OโDea as Arwen, enchant us with their performances and musicality. Each member of the cast deserves mention, and each could threaten to steal the show. The largest threat being Matthew Buggโs Gollum, who weaves his way into the second act: feral, feline and fluid. Bugg moves as though underwater, defying gravity as easily as abusing the hobbitsโ trust.
The nuances of the characters are beautifully executed, particularly up close on the small stage. But remarkably, when required, the epic proportions magically come into full force. Paul Hartโs staging is phenomenal. Simon Kennyโs ingenious design utilises every nook and cranny of the playing space. With the stunning combination of Adam Fisherโs sound, Rory Beatonโs lighting, George Reeveโs projections, Charlie Tymmsโ puppetry and Anjali Mehraโs choreography (to name a few of the key creatives), the effect is that of a sweeping panorama. Only later, in retrospect, does one wonder how it is achieved.
โThe Lord of the Rings: A Musical Taleโ is little short of a miracle. As we are led back outside, back to the Shire, darkness has fallen. We bid farewell to Frodo. Emotions are running high. Our senses have been caught in the storm of a spectacle, but we have still heard the intimate sounds of extraordinary theatre making. Most people who have read Tolkienโs high-fantasy novel would agree that they could read it again. Everyone, Iโd like to think, who sees this adaptation at The Watermill will agree that they could see it again. And again.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS at the Watermill Theatre
Reviewed on 1st August 2023
by Jonathan Evans
Photography by Pamela Raith
Previously reviewed at this venue:
Mansfield Park | โ โ โ โ | June 2023
Rapunzel | โ โ โ โ | November 2022
Whistle Down The Wind | โ โ โ โ | July 2022
Spike | โ โ โ โ | January 2022
Brief Encounter | โ โ โ | October 2021
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
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