‘Lord of Rings’ play opens

“The Lord of the Rings,” the most expensive production in West End history, opened to a standing ovation from its London audience and mixed reviews from the critics, with some praising it as brilliant and a wonder and others calling it “a thumping great flop” and corny.

The stage adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy saga officially opened Tuesday night at London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, with actors dressed as hobbits, elves and dwarfs, and pyrotechnics, special effects and a revolving stage aimed at re-creating Middle-earth.

The $25-million show based on Tolkien’s literary trilogy has been trimmed and reworked since its 2006 Toronto premiere, which also earned mixed reviews.

The Toronto Star, re-reviewing the musical in London said, “It’s gotten better; it’s gotten worse.” But the Daily Mail said: “British adults will find it difficult to suppress open laughter at this show’s Portentous Moments. Corny is hardly the word. There’s more corn here than in Kansas.”