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  New York, USA - The World Premiere of the £8 Million stage
version of J.R.R. Tolkien’s "Lord of the Rings" Production will open in
London in Spring 2005. "Lord of the Rings" and Finland’s influential
contemporary folk group
Värttinä have always had something in common. Both draw original inspiration
from the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic of mythological songs, poems, and
stories. Now Tolkien’s Finnish-influenced stories and languages (such as Elvish)
will have an explicit connection to Värttinä’s music and lyrics. India’s most
popular composer A.R. Rahman and Värttinä are to collaborate in composing the
score for the stage version of "Lord of the Rings," which will have its World
Premiere in London’s West End in Spring 2005. The production coincides with the
50th anniversary of the publication of the complete J R R Tolkien trilogy, “The
Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers,” and “The Return of the King.” This
announcement coincides with Värttinä's USA tour this November:
11.11.2003, Tues. New York Satalla
11.13.2003, Thu. Durham, NC Reynolds Theater, Duke University
11.15.2003, Sat. Madison, WI Wisconsin Union Theater, UW Madison
11.16.2003, Sun. Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural Center
A.R. Rahman has composed soundtracks for over 50 Bollywood films, which have
sold over 100 million soundtrack albums. A.R. Rahman is best known in the West
for writing the music for “Bombay Dreams,” currently playing to sell-out
business in London, and opening on Broadway in Spring 2004.
Värttinä, fronted by three female singers and supported by six acoustic
musicians, are now celebrating their 20th year and the release of their 10th
album, iki (NorthSide). Since 1990, they have toured internationally and built a
reputation as one of the most inventive and uncompromising ensembles in the
contemporary world music arena.
Producer Kevin Wallace says, “A fusion of A.R. Rahman’s and Värttinä’s
exceptional talents and contemporary sounds, rooted in the antiquity of their
respective traditions, will provide Tolkien’s mythological world of Middle Earth
with a pure, unique and dynamic score. At the heart of this spectacular epic is
an intense story of personal and collective endeavour that grips the audience’s
imagination, immersing them completely in the experience; the music of A.R.
Rahman and Värttinä has the dramatic range to do just that. I am pleased the
music of the project’s initial composers Stephen Keeling and Bernd Stromberger
is also available to the production."
"Lord of the Rings," with book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna, will be directed by
Matthew Warchus and designed by Rob Howell. Christopher Nightingale is the
musical supervisor.
The production of "Lord of the Rings" which will cost £8 million, is produced by
Kevin Wallace and Saul Zaentz.
www.thelordoftheringsmusical.com
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