The Lord of The Rings stage musical opening in London this summer has cost £8m, needed a crew of 80 to build it and a cast of 50 to perform it. The historic Theatre Royal, Drury Lane had to be refitted so completely that English Heritage oversaw some of the work. The new stage alone has 17 pneumatic lifts and three turntables, the wardrobe uses 500 pieces of armour and the actors playing talking trees need 10ft stilts. [More]
Category: Events
A knight in shining armour, a mythical creature and a medieval court? It all sounds a bit twee for an animated children’s series in 2007. But what if the knight was a feisty 12-year-old girl, the creature was a clumsy dragon and their living quarters were designed by the team who gave us Gollum in Lord of the Rings? Weta Workshop’s first TV series, Jane and the Dragon, premieres in New Zealand on Saturday. It is hoped the early evening timeslot will entice a family audience to what is being heralded as a massive achievement for the Oscar-winning company. [More]
LONDON — Saruman, that grizzled old necromancer, is caught in a spotlight, sounding a battle cry to his army of orcs: “I have trained you and equipped you! I know your hearts beat with a single purpose!” The orcs scuttle purposefully as the martial score swells and Saruman brandishes his staff (very old-school, price unknown) while rising up, borne aloft on a nifty piece of stage technology (very new-school, price at least $1-million). The music fades, Saruman (also known as Brian Protheroe) thunks down to stage level, and the assistant choreographer comes out to have a word with her orcs. In an instant, their body language changes from rampaging chimpanzee to off-duty actor: shoulders slumped, legs splayed, chins on spears. The stage they’re on, at the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane, is framed by creeping branches that reach out into the auditorium, partly obscuring a couple of the boxes. [More]
Geoff writes: I have learned about another screening of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, in Albany NY on 06/30. Spread the word! I’ve got links at my blog, where I try to help people find their favorite movies Back on the Big Screen. [More]
LONDON – Orlando Bloom will make his debut in London’s West End in veteran Brit playwright David Storey’s 1969 drama “The Contractor.” The play will be directed by Anna Mackmin and produced by Sonia Friedman. [More]
SamsKimmie writes: Sean Astin is going to be guest starring tonight on My Name is Earl, Laugh ‘N Sniff Episode which is paying homage to Rudy tonight on NBC. Charles S. Dutton and Chelcie Ross are also featured. The Laugh ‘N Sniff cards were included in this week’s TV Guide.