It is the most expensive theatrical production in history. Now The Lord Of The Rings musical is coming to Britain. Tanya Gold ventures backstage to find a smoking Gandalf, giant spiders and Frodo wondering where he put that ring. This is the story of how some hobbits danced, died and maybe – just maybe – came back to life. It begins in 2001, when a producer called Kevin Wallace sees a script for a musical of The Lord Of The Rings. Wallace has never read the book, but he wants a smash show to launch his production company and so, with an oedipal snap at his former boss, Andrew Lloyd Webber, he goes to Saul Zaentz, the legendary producer who owns the rights, and begs to stage the monster. Zaentz agrees, Wallace raises £12.5m, and in March 2006 his musical version of Tolkien’s trilogy makes its world premiere in Toronto. [More]
Month: May 2007
WESTWOOD, MA and CHICAGO, IL – May 10, 2007 – Today, Turbine, Inc., Midway Games Inc. and Codemasters Online Gaming announced that The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ is the #1 selling PC title across North America and Europe based on the most recent industry reports. The Lord of the Rings Online has outsold all other PC games across North America, Germany, United Kingdom and France according to data from NPD (NA), Chart-Track (UK), GfK (France) and Media Control (Germany).
In addition to soaring sales, The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) has been enthusiastically received by gaming critics around the globe:
- The New York Times proclaimed LOTRO as “a major achievement of interactive storytelling, the first game truly worthy of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ franchise and a must-play for just about anyone with an interest in Tolkien or the future of online entertainment.”
- GameSpy awarded the game its prestigious Editor’s Choice award with 4.5 out of 5 stars.
- Computer and Video Games, a leading UK gaming site, rated the game a 9.2 out of 10 and said “LOTRO presents a stunning and evocative world of Tolkien magic to explore.”
- GameDaily, a leading US gaming site, rated the game a 9 out of 10 and calls the game “a hot contender for PC game of the year.”
“This outstanding start sets the stage for a bright future,” said Jeffrey Anderson, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “This is only the beginning as we embark on an incredible journey with our players to expand the world of Middle-earth with the release of regular content updates.”
“Following the most successful North American pre-order program in Midway’s history, The Lord of the Rings Online is off to a great start,” said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. “As the positive reports and reviews continue to come in, gamers are settling into the game and experiencing Middle-earth as never before.”
“The fabulous response from consumers and the media has been overwhelming,” said David Solari, Vice President and General Manager of Codemasters Online Gaming. “It’s been a great launch, but it’s only the beginning for us. We look forward to rapid growth and welcoming thousands more to Middle-earth!”
The Lord of the Rings Online delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the quaint surroundings of the Shire to Angmar, the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before. For more information about The Lord of the Rings Online, please visit www.lotro.com or www.lotro-europe.com.
About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is a premier developer, publisher and operator of online entertainment and is headquartered in Westwood, Massachusetts. The company is one of the largest privately-held online games companies in North America. Turbine’s catalog includes some of the most famous online entertainment brands, including Asheron’s Call®, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE™: Stormreach™, and The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™. For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.
About Codemasters
Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience on current and future gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company’s dominant brands include Colin McRae Rally, TOCA Race Driver, LMA Manager, Brian Lara Cricket and Operation Flashpoint. The company is headquartered in Southam, Warwickshire UK and maintains operations in the US, Germany, France, Spain, and Benelux. More information about the company and its products is available online at www.codemasters.com.
About Midway
Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices throughout the world, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for major videogame systems and personal computers. More information about Midway and its products can be found at www.midway.com.
About Tolkien Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien’s works for almost 30 years. Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.
rohtireth writes: As a follow-up to your notice about the trilogy screening in New York, here in California there is a screening of The Fellowship of the Ring on June 7th (8pm) at the UA Clovis Towne Center in Clovis (near Fresno). This is part of the Flashback Flicks series, and if we have a good turnout, perhaps they will schedule The Two Towers and Return of the King later in the summer.
A survey involving viewers of the Sky Movies Sci-fi & Horror channel revealed that some films are a hit with both sexes – including Star Wars, Jaws, The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Top 10 Most Watched Films By Women: 6 ‘The Lord of the Rings trilogy’
Top 10 Most Watched Films By Men: 10 ‘The Lord of the Rings trilogy’
Rute writes: Just to let all the fans know that in Portugal the book, ‘The Children of Hurin’ (in portuguese ‘Os Filhos de Húrin’) is going on it’s 4th edition, being relaced on april 27. The publishing house responsible for publishing Tolkien’s work, says that the book is a huge sucess, and it’s nrº 1 on the top of best selling books.
Weta Workshop ‘s new animated series Jane and the Dragon brings out the playful side of director Richard Taylor. He talks to Grant Smithies. Richard Taylor grins a goofy grin. His eyes shine brightly behind his wire-framed specs. This being New Zealand Music Month, the special-effects whiz and director of Weta Workshop in Wellington is remembering the Kiwi bands that blew his mind as a teenager. The Gordons. Mangaweka Viaduct. The Screaming Meemees. “My favourite Meemees’ song had a line that went something like, ‘My girl’s got pointy ears, oh yeah, shake shake!’,” he says, beaming. [More]