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THE LORD OF THE RINGS Music by A.R. Rahman, Värttinä and Christopher Nightingale: Lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus. Based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkein. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London 19 June, 2007. - 19th July, 2008 (454 perfs) Synopis ACT I Long ago in a time when the world is green and Hobbits thrive, Mr Bilbo Baggins of the Shire holds a magnificent party. Following a surprise announcement that he is bequeathing everything he owns to his nephew Frodo, Bilbo vanishes. Frodo soon learns from the wizard Gandalf the Grey that Bilbo's magic ring holds unimaginably evil power. The Dark Lord Sauron’s agents are abroad in search of it. Frodo must leave the Shire at once and seek advice from the Elves at Rivendell. All is not lost – magic still resides in Middle-Earth, and the Rangers of the North guard the wilderness beyond the Shire's borders. The One Ring corrupts any who use it - no matter how noble their intent. Only little folk like Hobbits, who live far from the intrigues of Men in distant lands, have some resistance. The great wizard Saruman the White has already succumbed to the seductions of power and seeks the Ring for his own ends. Frodo and his friends arrive at the Prancing Pony Inn at Bree expecting to meet Gandalf. In a moment of weakness, Frodo puts on the Ring and is attacked by Black Riders. The Hobbits flee, aided by the ranger Strider. Arwen Evenstar sings of longing and loss in the sanctuary of Rivendell where Elroyd Halfelven holds a great council. The Ring cannot be destroyed by any earthly means. Nor can it be hidden, as Sauron's will acts like a magnet drawing it to him. It must be taken in secret to the Dark Lord’s realm of Mordor and melted in the supernatural fires of Mount Doom. where it was forged. A Fellowship of nine is formed to carry out this quest: the Ringbearer Frodo Baggins; fellow Hobbit Sam Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took; Gandalf, Strider, the warrior Boromor, Legolas the Elf, and Gimli, the Dwarf. They head East into danger. Gollum, a tormented creature who possessed the ring before Bilbo, is on their trail. In the old Dwarf mines Gandalf sacrifices everything to save his companions from the Balroc, an underworld demon. ACT II The mystical Galadriel offers a respite in her timeless haven. But violence splinters the Fellowship soon afterwards. Merry and Pippin unleash chaos when they awaken the ancient Ents in Fangorn Forest. In the Lands of Men to the South, the elderly Steward (Boromir's Father) is roused from a dark enchantment, and Gandalf 's miraculous return with an army of giant Ents turns the tide at a crtr crucial battle. The Orcs are destroyed and Saruman cast down. Gollum, ensnared by the Ring's power, guides Frodo and Sam towards Mordor. ACT III If the remaining Fellowship members can draw the Eye of Sauron away from Mordor, the Ringbearer might have a chance to complete his mission. Strider takes up his reforged ancestral sword and reclaims his

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