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Theatre review: Despite forgettable songs, Lord Of The Rings musical immerses fans with stagecraft

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Actor Rarmian Newton (playing Frodo, front) in The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale stage production. The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale Base Entertainment Asia Sands Theatre Aug 13 Fans of the Lord Of The Rings (LOTR) media franchise of books, films, television series and video games now have another avenue to indulge their love for all things Middle-earth – the theatre. And like the fictional setting populated with fantastical wizards, elves, orcs and dwarves, the stage wields its own magic too, allowing audiences to feel like they are part of the enchanting world. The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale, which plays at Sands Theatre until Aug 31, is adapted from English writer J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy of novels (1954 to 1955), but also shares similarities with the film series (2001 to 2003) directed by New Zealand film-maker Peter Jackson. It made its debut in Toronto, Canada, in 2006 and has come to town for its Asia premiere, reimagining the story from the perspective of hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, and focusing on their quest to destroy the One Ring. What differentiates this production, which runs for about 175 minutes with an intermission, is its immersive quality. For one thing, the action is extended beyond Sands Theatre's stage to its aisles and walkways. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Prior to the show starting, actors are already greeting and mingling with guests, and inviting them to partake in the celebration of hobbit Bilbo Baggins' 111th birthday, the first scene of the musical. Talk about breaking the fourth wall. This artistic choice also accentuates the venue's cavernous quality, reminiscent of some of the film's epic settings such as beautiful elven realm Lothlorien and Barad-dur, the formidable fortress of the dark lord Sauron. A set largely featuring wood carvings captures the simple charm of the hobbits, while stunning projections bring to life many of the books' familiar scenes, from the tranquillity of elven sanctuary Rivendell to the dark chaos of Moria's dwarven mines. Wonder what happens when someone puts on the One Ring, which allows bearers to enslave all forever? That is also answered through clever staging. And puppets are used to depict many of the more sinister elements from the forces of evil. Puppets are used to depict many of the more sinister elements from the forces of evil. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD From voiceovers to lighting to shadows, every theatrical trick is used to bring this battle of good and evil from page to stage. Lighting and shadows are used to bring the battle of good and evil from page to stage. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD And for the most part, it works. The temptations and inner struggles faced by the characters are deftly captured by actors Terence Crawford (Gandalf), Laurence Boxhall (Gollum) and Jemma Rix (Galadriel). One actor who deftly captures his character's inner struggles is Terence Crawford (left, playing Gandalf), seen here with actor Rarmian Newton (right, playing Frodo). PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD Hobbits are a merry, fun-loving bunch, and this is played out with the production's use of music, all performed live by the cast members. For example, Jeremi Campese (Merry) pulls double duty on the cello, while actress Hannah Buckley (Pippin) tackles the violin. However, what disappoints is the overall original music, co-composed by Oscar-winning Indian maestro A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire, 2008). The 19 songs, which include folksy Celtic numbers and crowd-rallying anthems, are mostly forgettable, and seemingly serve to only express the emotions of the moment or impress on a character's grand entrance, without really moving the plot forward. It is almost as if these numbers are shoehorned into a perfectly fine play just so it can be called a musical, regardless if the source material meshes well with traditional musical theatre elements. Most of the songs in The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale stage production are forgettable. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD Nonetheless, LOTR fans will likely delight at being able to come so close to memorable characters and scenes, and having music add another dimension to the experience. The comforting duet Now And For Always, delivered by Rarmian Newton and Wern Mak (playing Frodo and Sam respectively), celebrates their enduring bond in the face of the conflict and turmoil. But for the most part, casual theatregoers may puzzle over why characters are singing in the first place. Thankfully, there is enough stagecraft to keep them entertained. Actors Wern Mak (left, playing Sam) and Ruby Clarke (right, playing Rosie) in The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale stage production. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD Book It/The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue When: Until Aug 31, 8pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 2pm (Saturdays), 1 and 6.30pm (Sundays) Admission: $68 to $238 via Marina Bay Sands ( ), Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to ) and Klook ( )