The Lord of the Rings musical revival to run at Newbury’s The Watermill Theatre this summer

A new revival of the The Lord of the Rings musical is to be staged at Newbury’s The Watermill Theatre.

The new “epic and intimate immersive” production will run at the venue from 25 July – 15 October 2023.

Based on the classic trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord Of The Rings musical has book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus and music by A.R. Rahman (Bombay Dreams, Slumdog Millionaire), Värttinä and Tony Award winner and Grammy nominated Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical).

The production will be set across both the Watermill auditorium and gardens with audiences “immersed in the magical landscape of Tolkien, joining an ensemble cast and large-scale puppets on an epic journey celebrating the power of friendship and common goodness to conquer unimaginable evil”.

As the Hobbits celebrate Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday, he gifts his nephew Frodo his inheritance – including his most precious belonging – a gold ring. Little does he know that his legacy will confront Frodo with an immense and impossible task; a perilous journey across the darkest realms of Mordor to foil the Dark Lord’s quest for total dominion.

The Lord of the Rings will be directed by Paul Hart with design by Simon Kenny. Further creatives and casting are to be announced.

Artistic Director Paul Hart said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Bag End to Bagnor this summer with one of the most epic stories ever written. Our production of The Lord of the Rings will take audiences from the lush idyll of the Shire in our gardens to the darkest depths of the Cracks of Doom. You may be wondering how we’re going to fit this huge show in our 200-seat theatre – come and witness the impossible!”

For more information and tickets, visit watermill.org.uk