" In my humble opinion, the music, especially the hobbits', was very good. The play opens with a jaunty hobbit dance. A version of "The Road Goes Ever On" propels the hobbits on their journey through the Old Forest. Frodo's song at Bree was fun too. I especially liked Frodo and Sam's song about "the old stories" as they approach Mount Doom. "
http://www.council-of-elrond.com/forums/printthread.php?t=9236 I saw the Lord of the Rings play in Toronto on Saturday the 11th (1:00 matinee). Admittedly, I had many misgivings about this, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The play lasted 4 hours, and might have gone longer had it not been for a glitch in the Helm's Deep set. After two failed attempts, the scene finally had to be scratched. Then we heard a quick synopsis of what we'd missed before the play picked up with the next scene. It is my understanding that the play is still in the process of working out some bugs before its "official" opening. That's OK with me, I'm glad I got to see this early version so I can compare it to the next production I see. (Yes, I would definitely see it again!) OK, I will be writing some spoilers from this point on, so continue at your own peril. The lighting and stage effects were fabulous. The first act ends with the Balrog at the bridgeit will blow you away! ;) The ringwraiths were very well done, as were the effects used to portray them being swept away at the ford. The paths of the dead effects were pretty darn good, too! Lothlorien was beautifully staged, although I did kind of wonder about Galadriel's headgearit took a little getting- used tobut she gave Sam the box of dust instead of a rope, so I forgave her her hat! There were so many more really cool effects, I just can't think of all of them right now. In my humble opinion, the music, especially the hobbits', was very good. The play opens with a jaunty hobbit dance. A version of "The Road Goes Ever On" propels the hobbits on their journey through the Old Forest. Frodo's song at Bree was fun too. I especially liked Frodo and Sam's song about "the old stories" as they approach Mount Doom. The play also included a few "iconic moments" that Jackson ignored. Frodo's "You shall have neither the ring nor me!" is spoken at the ford. Bilbo participates in the Council of Elrond, and assumes he should take the ring and end the business he started. Also "Verily, I come to you" and "Take off the ring" is in at Amon Hen. Near the end of the play Arwen gives Frodo the Evenstar jewel. And, yes! the Scouring of the Shire is in! All in all, the hobbits in the play were more like the hobbits we all know and lovenot the helpless bumblers of the film version. This play is a very ambitious undertaking and one must keep in mind that it is THEATRE, not literature or film. So it should not come as a surprise that some characters are out, and some are combined. For example, Faramir and Eomer are nowhere to be seen, and Eowyn's part is very truncated (in fact, if you didn't know the story, you might miss her significance in the final battle). There were no eagles. Grima Wormtongue was out, but Bill Ferny is Sharky's henchman in the Shire. The Lord of the Nazgul speaks the lines of the Mouth of Sauron at the Black Gates. Much of the drama from the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, such as Theoden's and the Lord of the Nazgul's deaths, occurs at the Black Gates. I thought this to be an understandable combination, but I'm still a little grumpy about Eowyn's lack of lines here. (I really, really wanted her to say "Begone, foul dwimmerlaik, lord of carrion. Leave the dead in peace!") Oh, yes! The man who played Gollum was marvelous! I think if Andy Serkis were to see him, he'd agree with me. And, Legolas was dark-haired! Now, as long as everybody understands that I really liked this play, and will see it again if I ever get the chance, I am going to do a little grumbling. I don't think Brent Carver played Gandalf in the matinee performance I sawat least, I hope not because this actor was the weakest performer in the play. He kept hesitating in the middle of his lines as if he was trying to remember them. Very distracting. If he was Brent Carver, he doesn't deserve any of the above praise written about him. Speaking of Gandalf, he doesn't come back when he's supposed to. Aragorn inspires Theoden to rise up and fight. Gandalf apparently doesn't come back until the Battle of Helm's Deep which, as I said before, we didn't get to see. Also, Sauron was consistently pronounced "sore on," which drove me crazy, too. I was disappointed with the Shelob staging. It was OK, but I thought it could have been better. I felt the same way about Mount DoomI expected more flash and spectacle there. The Bridge of Khazad Dum scene was much better, and I guess I expected Mount Doom to outshine it. And one final, picky little thing: Sam did not say "Well, I'm back." I will come back and write more if I think of anything. Also, feel free to ask me whatever questions you have. Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic. Only at arrahmanfans.com - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community. 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