This weeks Ebay items are up and ready for you to pour over, enjoy! [More]
Day: March 5, 2000
From: Vanne
I just saw some posters here in Wellington for “Fangorn”, an opera “bringing Tolkiens Middle Earth to life with music”… I didn’t have a pen and didn’t wanna tear the poster. It was in wellington .. 11th or 12th of march.. I’ll get back to you on it..
If anyone has any info on this play, please drop me a line!
Ringer Spy Sam sends us some more info regarding this opera.
From the Fringe Festival 2000 guide:
Fangorn
Round Wheel Music Co.
A new contemporary opera blending folk, country and blues with the traditional operatic style. Set in Tolkien’s “Middle Earth” where some of the greatest characters of “Lord of the Rings” come alive in song. Comical with a serious message, this is opera for everyone.
Wgtn Performing Arts Centre
$15/$12/$10
March 11, 7.30 pm
March 12, 5pm
You can always check out tolkiencollector.com, Mike Williams just wrote me saying it’s been recently updated, and worth a looksee.
Ringer Spy LOTR extra sends in her take on the Hobbiton fire. I hid the text for those who don’t want spoilers, but since it’s such a small paragraph I posted it here.
Highlight to read:
The hobbiton fire was one of the best sets I have ever seen, the green dragon in went up in smoke. It’s ok because the fire service were standing by. there was six hours of rehersals, we had only one green dragon in to incinerate, we had to get it right. Never the less we managed to get about six takes in total quick fire one after the other, the night was a total success.
So it seems that Tongariro is not out of the running after all,we shall see what develops from this.
March 5th 2000
Rings to film at Tongariro
By Oskar Alley
Permission for crucial scenes of Lord of The Rings to be filmed at Tongariro National Park is expected this week. It is understood Kiwi director Peter Jackson has the green light to film in the area around Mt. Ruapehu, although the Department of Conservation was unwilling to confirm this. Tongariro senior community relations officer Dave Wakelin said the protection of the area’s natural beauty was vital.
“It’s a world heritage park which we’re very proud of and naturally you have in this situation conditions which have been set and we obviously want to keep it that way.”
It is understood the Rings team will be granted permission to film on Maori and army land, though some concessions may have to be made. Filming on the $360 million project had already been completed on conservation land in the South Island without incident. Producers had to pay a $50,000 bond, which could be increased to film in Tongariro. Wakelin said the good record would be taken into consideration. “These film companies are very experianced. They know the game, and I think we’ve had good co-operation from them, which is great.”
Rings producer Barrie M Osbourne said he was confident a deal would be struck, but he was happy to follow the application process. He confirmed Tongariro, with it’s mountains, desert and rolling mist, was a crucial filming location and not getting permission would be a hindrance. Osbourne said filming in the area would pump millions of dollars into the local economy, with more than 600 cast and crew required at times and local jobs created.
Thanks to Jeffrey for the news!
Click here to view some images of Tongariro NP
It seems our very own Ian McKellen had time to hop over to neighboring Australia to take part at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
From: David
Ian McKellen (Gandalf) had a quick interview with one of the street interviewers on the telecast of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. LOTR was briefly mentioned.
Also thanks to Shaun, RD, and Jesse for the news.