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Book Your Trip to Middle Earth
The international creative team, lead by critically acclaimed director Matthew Warchus and including designer Rob Howell and choreographer Peter Darling, has combined all three books into one, not to be missed, theatrical event. The book and lyrics are by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus. The score is by India’s most popular composer, A.R. Rahman, and the renowned Finnish group Värttinä, collaborating with Christopher Nightingale. Director Matthew Warchus said, “Following two years of design, script and music pre-production, arriving at a cast is a thrilling and auspicious moment. I am particularly proud of the huge diversity of skill in the company. Wonderful, experienced actors will be working alongside acrobats, stilt-walkers and outstanding singers, all pooling their talents to bring this magical story alive on the stage. Given the size of the show, this is bound to be the most grueling production process any of us has been through, but when I look at this company, I am eager to begin!”
“It is a great privilege and honor to have Brent Carver leading our outstanding company of performers,” Matthew Warchus said. “As one of the greatest actors of his generation anywhere in the world, he has demonstrated dazzling versatility and prowess on stage and screen, in every genre from musicals to classic plays. A long-time prince of Canadian theatre, he is aptly suited to be the inspiring leader and father figure to this dynamic young company. He is a unique talent. He will refresh the role entirely. And he exemplifies the guiding principal of this production: to bring the most exciting creative talents to this epic masterpiece and generate a thrilling new work of art.” In the role of Frodo, the Ring-bearer, is the exciting young British actor, James Loye. “We are absolutely delighted that James Loye is bringing his unique and charismatic talent to the role of Frodo in the World Premiere production of The Lord of the Rings,” said Producer Kevin Wallace. “There is an indefinable quality about James that sets him apart as the actor fit to fulfill the momentous responsibility of creating J.R.R. Tolkien’s Frodo Baggins on stage”. Playing the role of Gollum is Michael Therriault. Director Matthew Warchus said, “It is obvious that Gollum requires a physically virtuosic performance – being such a darkly malformed character. But at the center of the physicality must be superb acting; capable of capturing the extraordinary emotion, the tragedy and the unexpected warmth and comedy of this character. Celebrated as one of Canada’s greatest leading actors, Michael has an intriguing originality, an unusual intensity, and a powerful focus that makes him a very exciting choice as Frodo’s ‘shadow’ – the tormented and pitifully corrupted hobbit, Gollum. As with all the principals, Michael has been cast not least for his ability to bring this celebrated role alive on stage in a new, fresh and exciting way. It is thrilling to have him in the company”. Evan Buliung plays Aragorn, the king-in-waiting while the role of the wizard Saruman, the leader of the White Council corrupted by his lust for the Ring, is Richard McMillan. Peter Howe plays Sam, Frodo’s faithful friend. Canadian Dylan Roberts is Merry and Irishman Owen Sharpe is Pippin. Gabriel Burrafato is Legolas and Dion Johnstone is Boromir. In the role of Arwen, daughter of Elrond, is Carly Street. Also, Victor A. Young plays Elrond, Kerry Dorey is Theoden and Kristen Galer plays Rosie. For a list of the rest of the cast and crew, visit the website at www.lotr.com. Teams of engineers, carpenters, painters, welders, prop-makers, armourers, cutters, and seamstresses are focusing their efforts on realizing the design for the stage; and, after an eight month build, Rob Howell’s inventive and spectacular stage floor, weighing 30 tons and costing 1,200,000 Canadian dollars will be shipped to Toronto from the UK. Visit the www.torontotourism.com website to find out about hotel packages including accommodation, tickets to the show, and a Toronto savings passport which has hundreds of dollars in value offers from local restaurants, attractions, rentals and retail partners. Essential Information: The Princess of Wales Theatre Website: www.lotr.com Phone sales: TicketKing 416-827-1212 or 1-800-461-3333 Edited by Erika Wright |
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TM
J.R.R.
Tolkien’s book trilogy has sold in excess of 200 million copies. The award
winning three-film adaptation broke box office records. Now, The Lord of the
Rings will be on stage as well. With a thrilling score, a spectacular design,
and an ensemble of over 65 actors, singers and musicians, The Lord of the Rings
is the biggest, most ambitious theatrical production ever staged and it begins
February 2, 2006 at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Canada.
In the role of the great wizard Gandalf,
the creative team has chosen one of Canada’s greatest performers, Brent Carver.