2007年VOA标准英语-'Lord of the Rings' Opens on London Stage

By Paul Burge
London
26 June 2007
 

The most expensive stage show ever has opened in London's West End. Transformed from page to screen and now the stage, J.R.R. Tolkien's classic trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" opened (Tuesday, June 19th) at the British capital's Theatre Royal in a lavish¹ U.K. and European Premiere. From London, Paul Burge reports for VOA News.

Dancing hobbits

From Middle Earth to Central London, "The Lord of the Rings" is transformed to the Theatre Royal in the British capital's West End. 

It is a fantasy tale of elves, hobbits, battles and a ring, except this time Tolkien's trilogy is brought to the stage through music, dance and striking set design.

Each magical world from the Shire to Mount Doom² is recreated using huge lifting gear that makes the stage revolve³ and move up and down. 

The show's director, Matthew Warchus, says although the story is compressed, the stage adds immediacy.

"I think what's exciting for people who know 'The Lord of the Rings' is that the form of theater, the event of theater is so immediate⁴ -- it's like being in the same room as a battle, or as the 'Ballorog' or the 'Spider' -- you're there with them in a way you're not in any form," says Warchus.

"The Lord of the Rings" really is a theatrical⁵ spectacle on a huge scale, featuring an ensemble⁶ of more than 70 actors, singers and musicians. Not to mention the 500 costumes.  

Lifting gear causes the stage to revolve and move

But a huge show does not come cheap. At more than $24 million the "Lord of the Rings" is the most expensive piece of theater ever staged.

But with the success of the books and films the show's creators are hoping for full houses, night after night.

Alistair Smith from the Theatre newspaper says the show will benefit from London's tourist trade.

"I think tourist trade is going to be important, especially over the summer,” says Smith. “It's opening just before the peak tourist season and I think U.S. trade is going to be really important."

And it is just the kind of trade the show needs. Last year the production opened in Toronto, Canada, to mixed reviews and closed after just a six-month run.

This prompted a major review by its creative team. The four hour running time has been cut to three, with many scenes and songs completely rewritten.

While the reworked version looks to pull in lovers of Tolkien's Middle Earth, it also hopes to create a new following -- this time in the theater.

1 lavish   

adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍

参考例句：

• He despised people who were lavish with their praises.他看不起那些阿谀奉承的人。
• The sets and costumes are lavish.布景和服装极尽奢华。

2 doom   

n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定

参考例句：

• The report on our economic situation is full of doom and gloom.这份关于我们经济状况的报告充满了令人绝望和沮丧的调子。
• The dictator met his doom after ten years of rule.独裁者统治了十年终于完蛋了。

3 revolve   

vi.(使)旋转；循环出现

参考例句：

• The planets revolve around the sun.行星绕着太阳运转。
• The wheels began to revolve slowly.车轮开始慢慢转动。

4 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

5 theatrical   

adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的

参考例句：

• The final scene was dismayingly lacking in theatrical effect.最后一场缺乏戏剧效果，叫人失望。
• She always makes some theatrical gesture.她老在做些夸张的手势。

6 ensemble   

n.合奏(唱)组；全套服装；整体，总效果

参考例句：

• We should consider the buildings as an ensemble.我们应把那些建筑物视作一个整体。
• It is ensemble music for up to about ten players,with one player to a part.它是最多十人演奏的合奏音乐，每人担任一部分。