Lord of the Rings to become stage show
The Lord Of The Rings is to be turned into the West End’s most expensive musical in a lavish multi-million pound production.
The adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s famous trilogy will open in London in spring 2005.
Producers promised it would be the most spectacular production ever staged.
“This will be like nothing the West End has ever seen before,” said producer Kevin Wallace.
“We are setting out to re-create Tolkien’s fantasy world on the stage and it will have a real sense of wonder and awe for the audience.
“To do justice to the Lord Of The Rings you have to pull out all the stops.”
Following its premiere in London, it is hoped the production will roll out across the world.
The premiere will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the publication of Tolkien’s complete trilogy: The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers and The Return Of The King.
The musical will cash in on the popularity of the Lord Of The Rings films. The third is due in cinemas this Christmas and the first two are among the highest grossing in movie history.
It is being co-produced by Oscar-winner Saul Zaentz, who owns the film and stage rights to the fantasy.
The project has already been in development for 18 months and casting begins next spring.
Wallace said there would be a nationwide search for an actor to play young hobbit Frodo Baggins, played in the films by Elijah Wood.
“There are so many great roles in the Lord Of The Rings but I think Frodo will be the most important. We will search far and wide to find our Frodo,” he said.
