Previous Tolkien Theatre Experience

**Nurvingiel** · 12-30-2002, 04:58 AM

This is my first visit to this forum, and I was wondering, has anyone seen anything by Tolkien in theatre before? I saw The Hobbit as a play, and thought it was quite good. However, I don't believe it would make sense to anyone who hasn't read the book first.

So two questions:

Do you think the musical will be able to stand alone?

And, what are your, if any, previous Tolkien theatre experiences?

Lady of Rohan · 01-01-2003, 02:44 PM

I've never seen any tolkien plays or heard of any been preformed, but if some one was to make one then it would be really long.

hama1 · 01-02-2003, 12:27 AM

Here is a link to a theatre company that has produced at least two Tolkien theatre productions. http://www.cincinnatiovation.com/twotowers/index.html

Agburanar · 01-17-2003, 07:36 AM

I did a graphics project on redesigning 'the hobbit' as a production. Some of the photos of productions I have seen are fair, others are completely speculative rubbish. There's one production where Gandalf has an arabian-type hat on and a decapitated hand on the end of his staff. Clearly somebody has not read the book.

Miranda · 01-17-2003, 09:36 AM

I've done a play of the Hobbit before! Many years ago though and it was very simplified. I got to play Gollum which was great fun! I've seen a professional version of the Hobbit advertised around London but never got around to seeing it. Can't see how they'd do it though- we had a narrator to do most of the tricky bits. Mx

Elvellyn · 04-08-2003, 10:33 PM

I've never seen a Tolkien play before, but I think it would be really cool to act in one.

Willow Oran · 04-12-2003, 10:25 PM

I've never seen one but we did a youth production of The Hobbit at our local theater last summer, It was awesome, we put the entire thing together by ourselves in the space of four weeks and did six performances. We got really good audiences and the last performance we did the theater was filled to the point where we had to be careful not to trip over little children sitting in the ailes and we were forced to start turning people away. I wish we could do it again or do more Tolkien stuff on the stage, it's a lot of work, but it's really fun.

gandalfstormcrow · 04-14-2003, 11:49 PM

I've never seen a Tolkien play either.

Taleia · 05-21-2003, 03:55 PM

The drama camp I am going to this summer has been known to perform the Hobbit. If they do it, I'll get info on it and bring it back.

Hans Moleman · 08-08-2003, 08:49 AM

Most plays are boaring, even the LOTR play

Agburanar · 08-10-2003, 06:11 AM

You are so mistaken you even spelt 'boring' wrong.

I'm afraid I have no further conversation to hold with the uncultured.

hama1 · 08-12-2003, 03:29 AM

Hi Agburanar...

Considering that yours is the first post here in over a month, it seems no one has further conversation to hold with anyone.

Brad

Hans Moleman · 08-12-2003, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Agburanar

I'm afraid I have no further conversation to hold with the uncultured. [/B]

OOOOhhh look at me i'm so perfect because i go around watching stupid plays and thinking that thats cultured. I was merely expressing my humble opinion on my previous post and quite frankly i am dissapointed by your total lack of gusto.

PS I cant help that i am not the best typer in the world and sometimes spell words incorrrrrectlyy. (Note the deliberate spelling mistake and the sarcastic tone in my typing !!! )

Rosie Gamgee · 08-20-2003, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lady of Rohan
I've never seen any tolkien plays or heard of any been preformed, but if some one was to make one then it would be really long.

And require about thirteen bazillion extras

. No, I've never seen or heard of any Tolkien-based plays. I think they should make a musical out of the story of Tinuviel and Beren. That story's better for the opera-type setting.

cassiopeia · 08-20-2003, 08:55 PM

I went to see The Hobbit at the theatre a few years ago. Bilbo and the dwarves were puppets, but Gandalf was an actor. It was very good. And I got my own hobbit mug as well! I found a review of it from TORN here

willrusuk2003 · 10-16-2003, 05:22 AM

i think puppet dwarves would freak me out loads
those little things with such big beards aaaaaaaaahhhhh

eowyngirl14 · 01-22-2004, 08:10 PM

i also saw THE HOBBIT as a play, in main when i was about 11 and had just finished reading it. it was one of those really kinda cheap ones when college drama students want to make a play. they had about 7 people who all changed costumes to represent all the charecters.

they only could show 4 dwarves on stage at any one time.

smoug the dragon was this huge puppet that blew smoke and red and orange its of tissue paper, that was pretty cool!

brownjenkins · 01-23-2004, 03:33 PM

i've done the hobbit twice with two different children's theatre groups i work with (ages 9-18)... it's a great show, obviously we just stick to the main points (and no battle of five armies

)... theatre requires even more brevity and "to-the-pointness" than film does

basically you pick the scenes you want to feature, and then add dialog to fit the important parts you missed... you also want to try and not get too deeply concerned with plot and character complexities... in theatre it is usually best to pare things down to the essentials and then make the most out of each scene you decide to feature

and avoid a narrator at all costs!! they always slow things down

Lalaith_Elf · 01-29-2004, 01:53 PM

i saw the hobbit as a play not that long ago, its was extreamly good, and the prop for smaug was amazing, it was HUGE and gorgeous, made out of wood. and the acting was cool too, those dwarves all had amazing singing voices.
the spiders were cool as well - they were people in suits on all fours and with wires so they could leap from trees - they moved so life like!

01-17-2003, 07:36 AM	#4
Agburanar Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Dorset Posts: 608	I did a graphics project on redesigning 'the hobbit' as a production. Some of the photos of productions I have seen are fair, others are completely speculative rubbish. There's one production where Gandalf has an arabian-type hat on and a decapitated hand on the end of his staff. Clearly somebody has not read the book. __________________ I would wish, were it to any avail, that the LORD OF THE RINGS FILMS had never been wrought. ROLLING STOCK, WE'RE ROLLING STOCK!!

01-17-2003, 09:36 AM	#5
Miranda 'Bohemian princess of Covent Garden Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Mill Posts: 544	I've done a play of the Hobbit before! Many years ago though and it was very simplified. I got to play Gollum which was great fun! I've seen a professional version of the Hobbit advertised around London but never got around to seeing it. Can't see how they'd do it though- we had a narrator to do most of the tricky bits. Mx __________________ There's only us, there's only this, forget regret or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way, no day but today.

04-08-2003, 10:33 PM	#6
Elvellyn The Redneck Elf Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: In a house Posts: 539	I've never seen a Tolkien play before, but I think it would be really cool to act in one. __________________ Oliphants make great pets.

04-12-2003, 10:25 PM	#7
Willow Oran Deus Ex Machina Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,951	I've never seen one but we did a youth production of The Hobbit at our local theater last summer, It was awesome, we put the entire thing together by ourselves in the space of four weeks and did six performances. We got really good audiences and the last performance we did the theater was filled to the point where we had to be careful not to trip over little children sitting in the ailes and we were forced to start turning people away. I wish we could do it again or do more Tolkien stuff on the stage, it's a lot of work, but it's really fun. __________________ "5. Plain Rings with RUNES on the inside. Avoid these like the PLAGUE. -Diana Wynne Jones Tough Guide To FantasyLand ...it's not much of a show if somebody doesn't suffer, and preferably at length. Suffering is beautiful in any case, and so is anguish; but as for loathing, and bitterness... I don't think they belong on the stage at all. - Isabella, I Gelosi

08-08-2003, 08:49 AM	#10
Hans Moleman Hobbit Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 41	Most plays are boaring, even the LOTR play __________________ Oh you look like the little T.V leprocan i will be looking forward to getting your lucky charms. "Ahh my brain"

01-01-2003, 02:44 PM	#2
Lady of Rohan Doughy Elf Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1,006	I've never seen any tolkien plays or heard of any been preformed, but if some one was to make one then it would be really long.

01-02-2003, 12:27 AM	#3
hama1 Elven Warrior Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NY and MA Posts: 133	Here is a link to a theatre company that has produced at least two Tolkien theatre productions. http://www.cincinnatiovation.com/twotowers/index.html

04-14-2003, 11:49 PM	#8
gandalfstormcrow Enting Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ridding Middle Earth of Sauron before bedtime. Posts: 58	I've never seen a Tolkien play either.

05-21-2003, 03:55 PM	#9
Taleia Sapling Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4	The drama camp I am going to this summer has been known to perform the Hobbit. If they do it, I'll get info on it and bring it back.

08-10-2003, 06:11 AM	#11
Agburanar Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Dorset Posts: 608	You are so mistaken you even spelt 'boring' wrong. I'm afraid I have no further conversation to hold with the uncultured. __________________ I would wish, were it to any avail, that the LORD OF THE RINGS FILMS had never been wrought. ROLLING STOCK, WE'RE ROLLING STOCK!!

08-12-2003, 03:29 AM	#12
hama1 Elven Warrior Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NY and MA Posts: 133	Hi Agburanar... Considering that yours is the first post here in over a month, it seems no one has further conversation to hold with anyone. Brad

08-20-2003, 08:55 PM	#15
cassiopeia Viggoholic Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 1,749	I went to see The Hobbit at the theatre a few years ago. Bilbo and the dwarves were puppets, but Gandalf was an actor. It was very good. And I got my own hobbit mug as well! I found a review of it from TORN here __________________ Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.

10-16-2003, 05:22 AM	#16
willrusuk2003 Sapling Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Holton le clay,grimsby,Lincolnshire Posts: 8	i think puppet dwarves would freak me out loads those little things with such big beards aaaaaaaaahhhhh

01-22-2004, 08:10 PM	#17
eowyngirl14 i don't know what i am talking about either, so don't ask Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,353	i also saw THE HOBBIT as a play, in main when i was about 11 and had just finished reading it. it was one of those really kinda cheap ones when college drama students want to make a play. they had about 7 people who all changed costumes to represent all the charecters. they only could show 4 dwarves on stage at any one time. smoug the dragon was this huge puppet that blew smoke and red and orange its of tissue paper, that was pretty cool! __________________ 'The coming of dawn is ever the hope to the heart of men' -Aragorn 'Then I will die as one of them' -Aragorn TTT movie “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety” - Benjamin Franklin arms are made for hugging avatar from the avatar shop! made by Eowyn, Lady of Rohan

01-23-2004, 03:33 PM	#18
brownjenkins Advocatus Diaboli Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reality Posts: 3,767	i've done the hobbit twice with two different children's theatre groups i work with (ages 9-18)... it's a great show, obviously we just stick to the main points (and no battle of five armies )... theatre requires even more brevity and "to-the-pointness" than film does basically you pick the scenes you want to feature, and then add dialog to fit the important parts you missed... you also want to try and not get too deeply concerned with plot and character complexities... in theatre it is usually best to pare things down to the essentials and then make the most out of each scene you decide to feature and avoid a narrator at all costs!! they always slow things down __________________ Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

01-29-2004, 01:53 PM	#19
Lalaith_Elf Her Infernal Majesty Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,188	i saw the hobbit as a play not that long ago, its was extreamly good, and the prop for smaug was amazing, it was HUGE and gorgeous, made out of wood. and the acting was cool too, those dwarves all had amazing singing voices. the spiders were cool as well - they were people in suits on all fours and with wires so they could leap from trees - they moved so life like! __________________ "It is a good viewpoint to see the world as a dream. When you have something like a nightmare, you will wake up and tell yourself that it was only a dream. It is said that the world we live in is not a bit different from this." - Yamamoto Tsunetomo

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