The Lord of the Rings—A Musical Tale has locked in its Australian premiere at The State Theatre Sydney, arriving at the top of the year off the back of critically acclaimed seasons in London and Chicago.

The stage production, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s paradigm-shifting fantasy epic, will run from January 7, 2025 in one of the country’s most celebrated theatres with a yet-to-be-confirmed cast of actors and musicians.

Dubbed a “must-see show” and “the greatest show on Middle-Earth” in past reviews, the production was created under license from Middle-earth Enterprises, the owner and exclusive worldwide motion picture and stage rights for The Lord of the Rings.

With that stamp of authenticity sitting behind it, this musical follows a healthy legacy of official adaptations that have breathed new life into the iconic trilogy. It also comes after renewed interest in the timeless story, which has recently been introduced to younger audiences through video games and a Prime Video original series.

Sydney's epic Lord of the Rings musical debuts in January 2025 — ‘The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale’ was revived in 2023 to rave reviews (Photo: Liz Lauren)

Paul Hart’s production first popped into the world at London’s Watermill Theatre, bringing the artistic director’s eccentric vision to life. The herculean effort of condensing such a large and complex tale into a coherent musical was given swift praise by local and international publications, with The Guardian awarding it four stars and noting the score’s “enjoyable eclecticism.”

That original score, helmed by Academy Award winner A.R. Rahmann (who worked on Slumdog Millionaire) was created with the help of Finnish folk band Värttinä and Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale, noted for its rich atmospheric quality and diverse musical influences.

‘The Lords of the Rings – A Musical Tale’ was revived in 2023 (Photo: Liz Lauren)The familiar plot pulls guests into the magical realms of Middle-earth, using the Hobbits’ perspective to tell the story of The Lord of the Rings as young hobbit Frodo sets on a perilous quest to the darkest realms of Mordor in an attempt to vanquish evil with his loyal Fellowship and the eponymous gold ring.

“It is time for Australia’s actors and actor-musicians to tell their version of The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale in Paul Hart’s wonderful theatrical production, and we are looking forward to bringing Middle-earth to audiences at the State Theatre, Sydney,” said Kevin Wallace, whose Kevin Wallace Productions is co-presenting this season.

While the local cast is yet to be confirmed, auditions have already begun to find the country’s best versions of Hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, Gollum, Galadriel Gandalf, Aragorn, and the many other characters that have made J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic such an endearing tale.

The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale arrives in Australia shortly after the 70th anniversary of the publication of The Fellowship of the Ring, which was published in 1954. Tickets will be priced from $69 each and Sydney Travel Guide will keep you updated on sale timings as the season approaches.