30 August 2024 Tampere, Finland
Busy day today, a morning guided tour of Tampere followed by a visit to the Moomin Museum, the only Moomin museum in the world. And this evening I was treated to another unique experience at the Tampere Concert Hall, a stage production of Lord of the Rings accompanied by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. I was so thrilled at the thought of seeing one of my favourite books coming to life that I took advantage of a photo opportunity in the huge foyer of Tampere Hall.
I have been a fan of J. R. R. Tolkien’s books since I read The Hobbit at the age of twelve. I was gripped by this tale of the Hobbits and moved straight on the lengthy saga of the Lord of the Rings. It made such a lasting impression that ten years later, I named my first car, a battered red Ford, Frodo. And two years after that the sleek, white Vauxhall that replaced the Ford was immediately christened Shadowfax after Gandalf’s white horse.
The main auditorium of Tampere Hall can seat an audience of 1800 people. As I was amongst the first to arrive, I could watch the seats rapidly filling up for the first part of the performance. I could see the orchestra pit below me and the members of the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra getting ready to play the original music composed by Tuomas Kantelinen. It did not bother me that the performance would be in the Finnish language. I was confident I could remember the story sufficiently to follow the plot. Anyway, I had downloaded an app that would provide a translation should I need it. As the curtain rose, the audience fell silent, the music started. I was plunged into the world of the Hobbits, in particular Frodo and his companions Sam, Merry and Pip and they set off to return the enchanted ring to its rightful owner.
It seemed like no time at all before the curtain came down and the audience spilled out into the bar area. During the first of two intervals I had the privilege of meeting Mikko Kanninen the director of this unique, one-off, production of Lord of the Rings. I was delighted to learn we had two things in common, we had both read Tolkien’s books at the age of twelve and we had not felt the films of the story matched our own imagined characters. This experience was more uplifting than the bubbles of the Prosecco, my favourite drink, that I was sipping while we talked. But I was ready to resume my seat when the interval was over.
Everything about this performance of the Lord of the Rings absorbed my interest. It was due to last over four hours with two intervals. I was concerned I might drift off to sleep at some point but was so involved in the story that I was alert until the end. An incredible set that rolled and revolved around the stage created the illusion that the hobbits had journeyed many miles over rough terrain. And a split stage allowed us to see these characters in their underground hobbit home with the other characters above them. All the characters, Hobbits, Elves, Ents, Orcs and the Wizard, Gandalf, met with my approval. But in particular the agile, apathetic Gollum who added a touch of humour to the performance.
I was engrossed until the dying note. Swept along by the drama of the story and impressed by the juggling and other antics of by Sorin Sirkus performers. And a tear slid down my cheek as Frodo drifted off in a large white boat after finally succumbing to injuries sustained in battles fought as he struggled to complete the mission bestowed on him by Gandalf.
This wonderful performance of Lord of the Rings, the first in the world, will not be going on tour due to the complexities of staging it. Its season in Tampere will end 11 January 2025.
