PAUL SAVIDENT

The incredible magic of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit, possibly the best selling fantasy novel ever written, has been masterfully transformed into a fast-paced, dazzling display of live theatrical entertainment - so now you have the opportunity to enjoy the sights, sounds and the incredible magic of the best selling fantasy novel ever written.

Join Gandalf the Sorcerer as he leads Bilbo Baggins and his Dwarf companions off on a frightening but magical journey, a journey from which they might never return! A journey to hunt for the powerful hidden treasure that simply must be found and given back to its rightful owners. Travel with them through the Misty Mountains, Mirkwood, through wind, rain, hail and tremendous thunderstorms. Laugh with Bilbo as he discovers the answers to ancient riddles. Gasp as our adventurers narrowly escape gourmandising Trolls, vicious Goblins, avaricious wolves, spiteful Giant Spiders only to encounter the most magnificent deadly dragon of them all, Smaug, the guardian of the treasure they all seek.

This exciting production was first produced by Vanessa Ford Productions in the autumn of 1999, and has since played to nearly half a million people during 3 national tours and two Christmas seasons, both at London's Queen's Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Vanessa Ford has been producing true family theatre for over 20 years, and like many of her previous productions this is a show which can be appreciated on many levels by adults and children alike. And with adults making up 70% of the average audience for The Hobbit – this production is by no means only for school groups and children. This imaginative stage adaptation has been created by Glyn Robbins, known to millions of theatregoers for his adaptations of the CS Lewis classics, especially The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, AA Milne's Winnie The Pooh and Dodie Smith's The Hundred and One Dalmations. It is directed by Roy Marsden, perhaps best known for his portrayal of Inspector Dalgleish in the televised versions of the PD James novels.

JRR Tolkien created a series of literary works set in the fantasy realm of Middle-Earth, populated with wonderfully original and magical characters. These culminated in the trilogy The Lord of the Rings which had its origins in The Hobbit. A firm favourite with both young and old, The Hobbit has sold over 42 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 26 languages.

'ENTER THE FANTASY WORLD OF

BILBO BAGGINS

AND HIS DIMINUTIVE BRETHREN

as your local theatre transforms into Tolkien's Middle Earth for this

CLASSIC ADVENTURE OF WIZARDS,

MAGIC RINGS AND A DRAGON'S TREASURE'

London's Evening Standard

'A LARGE SCALE,

AND VISUALLY IMPRESSIVE PRODUCTION'

Sunderland Echo

'THEY SIT IN SILENT ENTHRALL -

THAT'S ALL THE PRAISE NEEDED

Theatre holds no greater spell when it commands such rapt attention! A mere critic is redundant'

Birmingham Evening Mail

'A FAST PACED, DAZZLING DISPLAY

OF A VIVID IMAGINATION -

A PLEASURE TO BOTH SEE AND HEAR - A JOY!'

Hull Daily Mail

'THIS IS A MAGICAL VERSION OF THE BOOK'

The Lady

BBC-Online

Review by Emma Whitehead re Liverpool Empire, 15/01/2003

The Hobbit lifts off on the Empire stage with a magical mist enveloping both an impressive cast and set, taking us on a captivating journey.

The prequel to the trilogy of Lord of the Rings is mythological in scope, with the backbone of a black and white plot for both adults and children of all sexes. The secret of the books is the exploration of issues that are still relevant today.

Good and evil, absolutism, greed, war, trust and friendship pack the narrative. The wizard Gandalf, puppet master for all the characters, guides them through the tale. The adventure follows dwarves and the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins as they travel through Middle Earth in search of treasure.

Michael Geary, playing Bilbo Baggins, typifies the all-male cast. He dithers nervously and excitedly around the stage as you might imagine a Hobbit would. Alongside the cast, the set and effects share a starring role.

Different parts of Middle Earth were portrayed through the use of two revolving sets, while the sparking sound effects for Gandalf's sorcery caught most people out - making some jump a little.

The most impressive set was saved until the end, as the dragon Smaug raised its head and swirled an enormous tail around the stage.

The lavish and seemingly no expense spared creation spread to the costumes. Elaborate and appropriate, they sit comfortable alongside the outfits of the blockbuster film trilogy.

Glyn Robbins has adapted the story for the stage, distilling the essence which was present in The Hobbit’s first publication back in 1937.

The stage production, popular before the film adaptations came into our lives, is a classic in its own right… successfully recreating the imagination and excitement of the child within.

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