A Musical Return to Middle-earth

The show, which tells the story from the hobbits’ point of view, features a cast who not only act but also play instruments live

- Joanne Soh

More than 20 years have passed since director Peter Jackson took moviegoers to Middle-earth with his Oscar-winning The Lord Of The Rings trilogy (2001 to 2003).

The road goes on in August with the Asia debut of The Lord Of The Rings - A Musical Tale at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands.

The theatrical production is based on English author J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved epic fantasy series (1954 to 1955), instead of Jackson's action-packed films.

Told from the perspective of hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, the story follows the four friends' adventures as they seek to destroy a powerful magical ring.

The three-hour show features original music by Indian music and film icon A.R. Rahman, Finnish folk band Varttina and Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale.

The Straits Times met the principal cast members playing Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, as well as characters Gandalf, Gollum and Galadriel, at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne, who offer reasons their show is a must-watch.

Actors are also orchestra members

Unlike musicals, where actors sing to tunes performed by musicians in an orchestra pit, all 32 cast members in The Lord Of The Rings - A Musical Tale play an instrument onstage. More than 20 instruments are used in the show.

Merry (Jeremi Campese) and Pippin (Hannah Buckley) play the cello and violin respectively.

Elves Elrond (Andrew Broadbent) and Legolas (Conor Neylon) are on the trombone and accordion, while dwarf Gimli (Connor Morel) plays the bouzouki, a long-necked string instrument.

Actress Stefanie Caccamo, who plays elf Arwen, learnt to play the harp for the production. Wern Mak, as Sam, plays percussion when he does not have an acting scene.

It is no easy feat: The actors need to memorise not only their lines, but also the music score - all within the five-week rehearsal period.