The Perilous Journey to Middle-earth: The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale

It’s always a brave endeavour to adapt a literary giant like The Lord of the Rings into a single theatrical production. Sadly, Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale, now playing at the State Theatre Sydney, struggles under the weight of its ambition. Compressing Tolkien’s sprawling epic into one show was never going to be easy, and the result is a narrative that feels both overstuffed and incomplete. Key plot points have been slashed to make the runtime manageable, leaving a patchwork story that lacks the depth and coherence fans expect.

For those unfamiliar with the story of the Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, follows Frodo Baggins, a young hobbit, who embarks on a perilous quest to destroy the One Ring, an object of immense power crafted by the Dark Lord Sauron. With allies from across Middle-earth, he battles forces of darkness to save the world from evil.

Directionally, the production has its moments. The stage is used well, with creative transitions and movements that convey a sense of journey—a crucial aspect of the source material. However, the decision to have many leads double as instrumentalists is questionable. Elrond playing a trombone might sound quirky in theory, but in practice, it detracts from the gravitas of the character and the story. While the static set design allows for certain immersive elements—rotating pieces and shifting props that suggest different locations—there are times when it feels uninspired, even lazy, as though the concept wasn’t fully realised.

One of the biggest disappointments is the music. A musical of this scale should leave audiences humming its melodies for days, but the score, composed by A.R. Rahman, Värttinä and Christoher Nightingale, here is regrettably forgettable. This is particularly disheartening, given the calibre of vocal talent on display. Some of the best voices in Australian theatre pour their hearts into the material, but even their efforts can’t elevate the lacklustre songs. The costumes, too, fall short, ranging from passable to downright tacky, as if slapped together with minimal thought. In contrast, the choreography is a high point. Dynamic and well-executed, it adds energy and excitement to the scenes, often compensating for other areas where the production falters.

The 32-strong cast is unquestionably committed, and their energy is infectious. Despite the material’s shortcomings, they deliver performances that deserve recognition. Laurence Boxhall’s Gollum is a standout; his physicality is tortured and utterly believable. Jemma Rix brings her trademark ethereal quality to Galadriel, effortlessly commanding the stage. Stefanie Caccamo’s Arwen is nothing short of breathtaking. Her soaring vocals and consistent characterisation anchor her scenes, providing a rare sense of emotional resonance. Jeremi Campese and Hannah Buckley, as Merry and Pippin, bring much-needed comedic relief; their chemistry is delightful, and their timing impeccable. Rarmian Newton’s Frodo is another highlight, portraying the pain and perseverance of the character with sincerity. Wern Mak’s Samwise is the heart of the show, a loyal and endearing companion whose care for Frodo feels entirely genuine.

There are glimpses of potential in Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale. The cast’s dedication, moments of effective direction, and flashes of creative staging hint at what this production could be. With some significant reworking and polishing, this show could transform into a true celebration of Tolkien’s world. For now, it remains an ambitious project that, despite its flaws, offers an evening of commitment, creativity, and the sheer joy of live theatre. If you’re a fan of Middle-earth or love seeing actors pour their hearts into their craft, it’s worth taking the journey and seeing the potential of what this production could become.

– The other Daniel Craig

 

Daniel Craig is an international performer and has established himself as a trusted theatre specialist on the Sydney Arts Scene. While he understands the technical side of theatre, Dan writes for the everyday theatregoer (unlike some of those more prominent publications). When not in the audience, he loves to travel the world trying new gin. Follow him on all the socials @talldancraig

Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale runs for 2hrs 55 minutes (with 20 min interval) and plays at the State Theatre through 1 February 2025. Tickets are available through the Ticketmaster.

Disclosure: The Plus Ones were guests of Good Humans PR.
Image credit: Daniel Boud