INTEREST in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien has probably never been greater and that was reflected in the near full house at the opening night of The Hobbit at Blackpool's Grand Theatre.

There was a large contingent of children in the audience but, despite this being a performance which lasted about two-and-a-half hours, there was no shuffling in the seats. Instead, adults and children alike were spellbound throughout.

The recent Lord of the Rings feature films have set a high standard for any portrayal of Middle Earth but the fabulous and versatile set used by Vanessa Ford Productions helped transport the audience to a believeable world of misty mountains, enchanted woods and Troll-filled caves.

Clever lighting effects, the use of smoke and explosions helped to create a world encompassing kindly hobbits, evil Orcs and proud Dwarves - all ready to fight for what they believed was right.

The huge dragon puppet was particularly effective but there were many other highlights the spiders of Mirkwood; the tremendous choreography of the fighting scenes; Howard Gossington's sinuous Gollum, tortured at the loss of his Precious' ring; and the energy of Beorn's woodmen's dancing.

Like the book, the play grows ever darker as it progresses, Thorin Oakenshield's pride taking over and nearly leading men, elves and dwarves into further conflict after he finally becomes the King of the Mountain.

This is a dark play with some lighter moments, full of action, song and wonderment.

AT

February 13, 2003 10:30