Lord Of The Rings Musical Spring 2005 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

HerenIstarion · 06-30-2004, 11:01 AM

My first reaction on hearing the rumours was "Oh no! oh deary deary me, NO!"

But 'Finnish group called the Värttinä' makes it sound a tiny bit more hopeful

Gorwingel · 06-30-2004, 10:28 PM

I agree that it will probably be more of a Le Mis (French Revolution, kind of a serious topic for a musical) type of musical, than a happy-go-lucky one. From the appearance of the website I am guessing they will be going in about the same direction as the films, so I am guessing it will be quite serious. I am expecting a dark somber stage, and dramatic ballad type of songs. But the one question I have is how long is this thing going to be? They are most definitely going to be making major cuts (I wouldn't expect them to have dear old Tom B.) in the story because who wants to sit down for a 9 hour musical.

I just hope this is not a complete failure, but then I wouldn't bet on this being a huge success

HerenIstarion · 07-01-2004, 01:07 AM

The most unfortunate thing about producer/fandom relationship is the sure knowledge of the former that, given decent amount of PR, the members of the latter are going to buy any rubbish produced, provided that it is effectively tied up with the original. Even when fans (myself included) know that what they are going to purchase is a failure, they are still going to buy it, just for the look of the thing.

we live in a century of merchants and market researchers...

Araréiel · 07-02-2004, 03:22 PM

Tu ché. If it's a darker sort, like Le Mis, it could work. I am guilty of the immediate thinking of something happy-go-spunky. But, Gorwingel, I think we would have a good number of people here who would sit through 9 hours! We've all sat through more than that for the films and asked for more!! But LotR is so wonderfully involved and elaborately created that, even with 10 and a half hours (counting the extended editions), a lot was left out. It will be interesting to see what they do in two or three hours, just how painful it will be....

No matter, I still want to go!!

Gorwingel · 07-02-2004, 10:49 PM

Quote:

The most unfortunate thing about producer/fandom relationship is the sure knowledge of the former that, given decent amount of PR, the members of the latter are going to buy any rubbish produced, provided that it is effectively tied up with the original.

So absolutely true!
So then I guess it will be a success, but will it still reallly be a success with the "other people" (normal public, critics, etc.).

This is a question for our British Barrow-downs members: How are the British musical/play reviewers? Are they tough?
I know a little about the New York ones, but even though the only musical I have ever seen I saw in London, I know little of what the critics are like.

But, yes, this will attract a lot of interest. But the main question is how will it last over the long run? And that question will only be answered by viewing of the final product

07-20-2004, 09:11 AM

as you've all said.... could be good, could be horrendously bad.

I really can't get the image of a singing, tap-dancing balrog out of my head
*shudders*

Pippin Pondlily · 07-23-2004, 03:50 PM

Now, if the great world of entertainment wanted to do something right for a change, haha, they'd make Lord of the Rings an opera.

I'm actually quite serious, I know that there are a couple "serious" Musicals (my sister's in Broadway so I'm not exactly knowledge-less) but I really don't think that Lord of the Rings should have musical-style dancing, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Oklahoma coming to mind. I mean if they've really got to do some sort of musical/play/theater production, I think an opera would be much more appropriate. That way they can really bring out the songs and music Tolkien used or implied in his novel without making it goofy.

I really don't know what to expect but frankly, I'm a little worried.

- P. Pondlily

06-30-2004, 11:01 AM	#1
HerenIstarion Deadnight Chanter Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,244	My first reaction on hearing the rumours was "Oh no! oh deary deary me, NO!" But 'Finnish group called the Värttinä' makes it sound a tiny bit more hopeful __________________ Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time!

06-30-2004, 10:28 PM	#2
Gorwingel Beholder of the Mists Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now Posts: 1,419	I agree that it will probably be more of a Le Mis (French Revolution, kind of a serious topic for a musical) type of musical, than a happy-go-lucky one. From the appearance of the website I am guessing they will be going in about the same direction as the films, so I am guessing it will be quite serious. I am expecting a dark somber stage, and dramatic ballad type of songs. But the one question I have is how long is this thing going to be? They are most definitely going to be making major cuts (I wouldn't expect them to have dear old Tom B.) in the story because who wants to sit down for a 9 hour musical. I just hope this is not a complete failure, but then I wouldn't bet on this being a huge success __________________ Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance Last edited by Gorwingel; 06-30-2004 at 10:31 PM.

07-01-2004, 01:07 AM	#3
HerenIstarion Deadnight Chanter Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,244	The most unfortunate thing about producer/fandom relationship is the sure knowledge of the former that, given decent amount of PR, the members of the latter are going to buy any rubbish produced, provided that it is effectively tied up with the original. Even when fans (myself included) know that what they are going to purchase is a failure, they are still going to buy it, just for the look of the thing. we live in a century of merchants and market researchers... __________________ Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time!

07-02-2004, 03:22 PM	#4
Araréiel Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 92	Tu ché. If it's a darker sort, like Le Mis, it could work. I am guilty of the immediate thinking of something happy-go-spunky. But, Gorwingel, I think we would have a good number of people here who would sit through 9 hours! We've all sat through more than that for the films and asked for more!! But LotR is so wonderfully involved and elaborately created that, even with 10 and a half hours (counting the extended editions), a lot was left out. It will be interesting to see what they do in two or three hours, just how painful it will be.... No matter, I still want to go!!

07-20-2004, 09:11 AM	#6
drunken dragon Guest Posts: n/a	as you've all said.... could be good, could be horrendously bad. I really can't get the image of a singing, tap-dancing balrog out of my head shudders

07-23-2004, 03:50 PM	#7
Pippin Pondlily Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Savannah Posts: 41	Now, if the great world of entertainment wanted to do something right for a change, haha, they'd make Lord of the Rings an opera. I'm actually quite serious, I know that there are a couple "serious" Musicals (my sister's in Broadway so I'm not exactly knowledge-less) but I really don't think that Lord of the Rings should have musical-style dancing, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Oklahoma coming to mind. I mean if they've really got to do some sort of musical/play/theater production, I think an opera would be much more appropriate. That way they can really bring out the songs and music Tolkien used or implied in his novel without making it goofy. I really don't know what to expect but frankly, I'm a little worried. - P. Pondlily