Arts News

Toronto's Lord of the Rings to close

By Amy Somensky Jun 29, 2006, 3:04 GMT

Michael Therriault (Gollum) from the World Premiere production of The Lord of the Rings. Toronto 2006. Photographer: Manuel Harlan

Toronto: Producers of the Toronto production of The Lord of the Rings have announced that the epic production will play its final performance at the Princess of Wales Theatre on September 3rd. At the time of closing it will have played 230 performances.

"We hugely appreciate the role the city of Toronto and the province of Ontario have played in bringing The Lord of the Rings to the stage," lead producer Kevin Wallace said in a statement. "We are very proud of our extraordinary company of actors, musicians, resident staff and technicians at The Princess of Wales Theatre. It is their dedication and talent that brings J.R.R. Tolkien's unique world to life in this epic theatrical event. Toronto will always be the originating city of The Lord of the Rings and we celebrate the fact that the production on stage at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane from May 2007 would not have been possible without the tremendous work accomplished in Toronto."

The production will next be seen at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane in May 2007 with some revisions.

The Lord of the Rings opened on March 23, 2006 and features direction by Matthew Warchus, book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus, and music by A.R Rahman and Varttina with Christopher Nightingdale.

Starring in the production is Brent Carver as Gandalf, James Loye as Frodo, Evan Buliung as Aragorn, Richard McMillan as Saruman, Peter Howe as Sam, Dylan Roberts as Merry, Owen Sharpe as Pippin, Gabriel Burrafato as Legolas, Dion Johnstone as Boromoir, Carly Street as Arwen, Victor A. Young as Elrond, Kerry Dorey as Theoden, Kristin Galer as Rosie, Rebecca Jackson Mendoza as Galadriel, and Cliff Saunders as Bilbo.

For tickets to the final performances of The Lord of the Rings visit www.ticketsnow.com.