The Hobbit
Adapted from Tolkein's book The Hobbit by Glyn Robbins
Book - J R R Tolkein
Director - Roy Marsden
Set Designer - David Shields
Costume Designer - Abigail Hammond
Composer and Sound Designer - Mark Bloxsidge
Choreographer - Stephanie Carter
Lighting Designer - Robin Carter
Fight Director - Nicholas Hall
Magic Consultant - Ali Bongo
Venue - Edinburgh Playhouse www.edinburgh-playhouse.co.uk
0870 606 3424 (national call rate applies)
Top of Leith Walk, 5 mins from back door of John Lewis
Dates - 19 - 23 June at 7:30pm Matinees - 20 & 21
June at 2pm 23 June at 2:30pm
Reviewer - Brett Sheffield
This production follows Tolkien's book closely, from the unexpected
party at Bilbo Baggins' Hobbit hole, to the Battle of Five Armies at
Lonely Mountain. The tale is set in Middle Earth, where a party of thirteen
dwarfs (cut down to a more manageable five on stage) set out to reclaim
their people's treasure from the dragon Smaug.
James Earl Adair, mysterious and powerful as Gandalf the Wizard
guides them for part of the way, first by choosing for them a burglar
companion in the form of the Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins played by Michael
Geary with humorous Hobbitlike charm. Bilbo, like most Hobbits,
is a reluctant adventurer who is more interested in getting home in
time for tea than battling dragons in strange lands.
The Hobbit wastes no time in drawing the audience in with fantastic
lighting, special effects and dramatic sound. This is kept up throughout,
although the choice of music is a bit disappointing, particularly during
the fight scenes. Combined with the goblin's shell- like armour and
dancing fight-moves they appear for some moments to have crossed to
the set of the Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Seamless scene changes are achieved, with cleverly constructed sets,
reused and repositioned together and differing lighting, to create the
various places they journey to. The costumes of the party themselves
- the Hobbit, the dwarfs and Gandalf are excellent. It is a pity that
Tolkein's beautifully detailed description of elves and their fair language
is replaced with a guttural speaking and poorly dressed Elrond.
For anyone who still has a bit of child within, The Hobbit is
ideal entertainment.
© Brett Sheffield 2001
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