Middle-earth Comes to the RGS Stage
Last week’s mesmerising production of ‘The Hobbit’ was a triumph, brilliantly capturing Tolkien’s sense of epic adventure. It magically and memorably transported the audience to Middle-earth and captured all the drama, excitement and fun of this wonderful novel. From the moment the curtain rose, the stage was alive with a celebration of friendship, bravery and heroism. The production succeeded in summoning a huge range of imaginative settings, moving seamlessly from the arcadian peace of The Shire and Bag End to the magical enchantment of Rivendell, the ominous gloom of Mirkwood, and finally the fateful destination of The Lonely Mountain where the terrible Smaug awaits. It was a masterful display of how a school stage can be transformed into a vast, mystical world through sheer creative vision and a commitment to evocative storytelling.
The heart of the story is Bilbo Baggins, a small and unlikely hero, as Gandalf says of him: ‘There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself.’ Bilbo was superbly brought to life by three different actors across the performance: James, who handled Parts 1 and 2 and the Epilogue; Henry, who took over for Parts 3 and 4; and Winter, who concluded the journey in Parts 5 and 6. This rotating cast worked exceptionally well: the costume and character handovers between the three actors possessed a ritualistic quality that made it feel as if the story were being handed down to a new tale-teller each time. Together, they portrayed a brave, unlikely hero who goes on to prove his courage, loyalty and true worth in the face of immense danger.
There were other superb performances in key roles. Providing a steady and powerful presence on stage was Seb in the role of Gandalf. Seb perfectly embodied the wise sorcerer and guide, anchoring the production with his magisterial authority and guiding the company through their perils. A true stand-out performance came from Aurora as Gollum, who captured that instantly recognisable voice with great physical characterisation that left the audience spellbound. Equally impressive was Monae as Smaug the Dragon, who exuded menacing, monstrous power from the depths of the mountain. The character was enhanced by brilliant silhouette design and costume, making the dragon a truly formidable and visually striking foe.
The company of Dwarves provided a delightful blend of mischievous humour, rumbustious spirit and doughty courage throughout the journey. The role of redoubtable Thorin Oakenshield was shared skilfully by Matthew, Daisy and Caroline, while Balin was played by Georgio, Harry and Ben. Bombur was portrayed with great energy by Fred and James, while the younger dwarves Kili and Fili were played by Carolina, Heidi, Beth and Dylan. All these young actors succeeded in drawing out their characters’ distinctive personalities and did so with great skill and fine theatrical instinct. The seamless transitions between these actors further emphasised the collaborative nature of this talented new group of performers.
The wider world of Middle-earth was populated by equally noble presences. Matilda as Beorn and Oscar as the Elf King both successfully conveyed the status and dignity of their characters. Alex gave a stately, magisterial performance as Elrond, particularly during the ritual of the swords, which featured superbly executed balletic choreography and movement. If this was not enough, Alex also doubled up as a grumpy and hungry troll. Sophie delivered a very eye-catching performance as the Master, making great use of comedic vocals to create a memorable foil for the heroes. The production was rounded out by a superb supporting cast, including Lucy and Niamh as the memorable, squabbling Trolls. The various Orcs, Elves, Goblins and Wolves, played by performers such as Mabel, Emily, Kate, Phoebe, Ella and Vienna, all maintained a distinct sense of character that added significant depth to every scene.
The technical execution of the show was as impressive as the acting. The battle scenes were a major highlight, conveying a sense of epic struggle using imaginative tableaux and freeze-frame effects that led to a wonderful climactic scene. This level of coordination would not have been possible without the stage crew, whose work behind the scenes was seamless and slick. It is important to acknowledge all the unseen work that went into the production, from the front-of-house team to those responsible for the intricate costumes, make-up, music, atmospheric lighting and effects. These elements combined perfectly to create a professional and immersive experience for a deeply appreciative and thrilled audience.
Ultimately, this production of ‘The Hobbit’ made it obvious that this group of young performers is very talented indeed. Many pupils have already shown they can handle leading roles and demanding parts with ease, and their success here is very promising for the future. It was a wonderful celebration of both the source material and the bright theatrical futures of everyone involved in this epic journey through Middle-earth.
Enormous thanks and congratulations go, once again, to Mr Garrity for another magical night. The challenge of capturing the scope and scale of Tolkien’s masterpiece on stage is immense; but, at the end of the quest, we had been carried away, thrilled and marvellously entertained. We were left also with a strong and lasting impression of the deeper resonances contained within Tolkien’s book: a message about what truly matters. In the words of Thorin Oakenshield: ‘If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.’ This was a very merry theatrical world indeed and several young performers demonstrated how bright the future promises to be.
Mr N Phillips, Head of English
