It’s that time of year again, when the Brisbane Tolkien Fellowship hosts it’s wonderful “Evening in Middle-earth”.

This year there is a special treat for everyone, with an extra day, so fans can enjoy Two Evenings in Middle-earth.  Along with the extra day, there is an extra special treat in store for the fans.

Continue reading “An Evening in Middle-earth”

Today brought us Pre-View Night at Comic-Con 2017 and our friends at Weta Workshop came with some absolutely amazing new items. Some of them you can pre-order right now for shipping later this year and one item that is an amazing preview. Grond is an item we’ve gotten a chance to see at various cons and now we finally get a chance to order this awesome piece. Fans can order Grond right now for $749 and with an edition size of only 500 pieces this will not last long. This next piece is another on the list of items we have been asking Weta for, it is the Mouth of Sauron. The Mouth of Sauron comes to us on his horse covered in that awesome armor all while holding Frodo’s Mithril Shirt. Coming in with a price tag of $699 and an edition size of 750 pieces this is another item that is sure to not last long.

Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Weta Workshop’s Comic-Con 2017 New Items”

Our friends at Weta Workshop are Smelebrating Smaug this month as well as the birthday of Smaug himself Benedict Cumberbatch. Weta is unleashing a Dragon’s share of discounts on various Smaug related collectables. Just some of the Smaug goodies fans can get are: Smaug the Terrible: Premium statue $549 USD, Smaug – King under the Mountain $99 USD, Smaug the Terrible – Bust $299 USD, Smaug’s Treasure: Coin Pouch with Coins $19.99 USD, and Smaug T-Shirt $20 USD.

Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Weta Workshop’s Smelebration”

Bombur speaks! Fans of The Hobbit’s Stephen Hunter who are in London this weekend can catch him – and his new film – at Sci-Fi-London 17 (The London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film) this Friday, 5th May. The film, ‘Blue World Order‘ will screen at the Stratford Picture House at 6.45pm – and Stephen will be there, with other cast and crew.

Stephen, in typical self-deprecating style, says: ‘The film looks great, and this time instead of being a fat ginger mute, I actually … get to say word and everything.’ You can book tickets here; and you can check out the trailer here.

 

Royd Tolkien and his brother Mike visit Hobbiton

Many of you will know that Royd Tolkien, great-grandson of the Professor, is currently in New Zealand. He’s completing a ‘bucket list’ of activities left for him by his brother, Mike, who sadly died from ALS (also known as MND) in 2015. Mike was an adrenaline junkie; Royd, by his own admission, is most definitely not. His brother’s list, therefore, is a challenge for Royd, and will see him facing fears and undertaking all kinds of adventures on his mission – quest – thing…

All Royd’s exploits are being filmed for a documentary, There’s a Hole in my Bucket. You can find out more about it in this video: [click here]. Royd says, “It is a journey of discovery and inspiration,” intended “to remind people how precious and important life is and to make every second count.”

Those of you lucky enough to be in Wellington next week can join Royd on Wednesday, 12 April, at the Roxy Cinema in Miramar. At ‘An Evening with Royd Tolkien‘, you’ll hear him talk about his experiences completing his fifty

Auction item: full orc head prosthetic made by Weta Workshop

challenges (which should mostly be done by next week). You will also have the chance to bid in a fabulous auction, with none other than Jed Brophy as the star auctioneer! Today, Royd announced that one of the amazing items up for grabs is a genuine Weta Workshop full Orc Head prosthetic, made for one of Royd’s challenges (see left). What an amazing addition that would make to any Middle-earth collection! Other auction items include a Gandalf statue signed by Peter Jackson himself, and pieces signed by Richard Taylor.

And the good news is – even if you aren’t in New Zealand, you can still participate in the auction! If you check out the Facebook event page [here] you’ll find an email address for Jodie, the event coordinator. To place an absentee bid on any of the auction items, we’re told you can simply send Jodie an email, and she’ll send you the Absentee Bidding Form, which lists all the auction items, reserve prices, and any the information you may need. If you’re an avid Tolkien collector, an art fan, a wine connoisseur, a foodie, or even a keen sailor, you’ll find something to please on the incredible list of auction items. Check out the event page, contact Jodie, and grab yourself an extraordinary treasure!

The event is a fundraiser for MND New Zealand. Details on how to buy tickets to attend are on the event page. If you’d like to know more about MND New Zealand, or support them, click here.

Be sure to let us know if you attend the event – we’d love to hear all about it!

 

TORn’s friend Dan Freeman, who wrote ‘audio movie’ The Minister of Chance (which featured the talents of both Sylvester McCoy and Jed Brophy), is penning a new play. A Joke will star actors Richard Oliver (who was in The Minister of Chance), Robert Picardo (perhaps best known to geeks for Star Trek and Stargate), and McCoy, whom we all know as Radagast (not to mention, of course, the seventh Doctor).

The show is in development, so exact dates for performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe are not yet confirmed – but there are two performances scheduled in Cheshire (England) on August 11 and 12 this summer. If you’d like to know more, check out the website, here.