The Lord of the Rings musical to embark on international tour in 2027

A new production of The Lord of the Rings musical will premiere in Istanbul in October 2027 before touring cities across the world.

Based on the books by J R R Tolkien, the new stage production will open at Zorlu Performing Arts Center on 8 October 2027.

Directed by Bruce Guthrie, head of film and theatre at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai, the production will feature scenic, video and puppetry design by Tony and Olivier Award winner Andrzej Goulding (Life of Pi).

The production follows Frodo Baggins after his uncle Bilbo gives him his inheritance, including a gold ring that causes something of a ruckus.

The musical, seen both in the West End and in an award-winning revival at the Watermill Theatre, features a score by Academy Award winner A R Rahman, Finnish folk group Värttinä and Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale, with a book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus.

Following its Istanbul premiere, The Lord of the Rings will visit Bucharest, Prague, Warsaw, Thessaloniki, Tallinn, Athens, Sofia, Zagreb and Dubai, with further venues and dates to be announced. The production will be cast and rehearsed in the UK, with auditions taking place in early 2027.

It is produced by Kevin Wallace and William Bennett for KW Productions, George Isaak for People Entertainment Group, and Middle-earth Enterprises, LLC. Peter Huntley and Callum Runciman are executive producers and general managers for Smart Entertainment.

Isaak said: “We are delighted to be entrusted by Middle-earth Enterprises and KW Productions with the opportunity to bring The Lord of the Rings to our audiences across Europe and the Middle East. For a story of such extraordinary scale and legacy, we could not deliver anything less than an Epic Stage Adventure across the region, and we cannot wait to welcome thousands of fans into theatres to experience it live.”

Kevin Wallace added: “This production will thrill fans of the trilogy and fans of epic live entertainment! We are bringing together an exceptional team of creative collaborators, each with their own insights into what makes The Lord of the Rings resonate across the generations.”

Middle-earth Enterprises brand steward (presumably appointed after the disappearance of brand King Eärnur in TA 2050) Fredrica Drotos said: “Bruce and Andrzej have re-created a fundamental adaptation for the stage; a fresh impression of the underlying trilogy of books, inspiring readers to reflect on the text in many new ways, and it’s most definitely not to be missed.”

A UK run of a previous production was abandoned last autumn.