By SCOTT KARA
Middle-Earth fans hanging out to see The Lord of the Rings movie can whet their appetites with a live show based on The Hobbit, and featuring a dragon the size of a bus.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy might be JRR Tolkien's best-known work, but The Hobbit was his first book and is being performed in New Zealand later this year.
Producer Malcolm Cooke and director Christine Anketell are visiting from Australia to find a local actor to play the lead role of Gandalf, the legendary wizard.
The pair say touring the show has nothing to do with The Lord of the Rings now being filmed in New Zealand, but they admit seeing their production is a good appetiser for the movie.
The show uses a variety of media, including larger-than-life puppets, and brings more than 80 characters from the book alive.
Mr Cooke said because Gandalf had to interact with the audience as well as puppets the chosen actor had to be versatile.
"He is the link. The audience travel through Gandalf. He is the one that makes the audience accept these characters are alive and well because he treats them as if they are," he said.
At times it takes four puppeteers to control one of the giant puppets, which include trolls that stand about 3m tall.
Ms Anketell said her lifelong passion for Bilbo Baggins and his companions was matched by her interest in Tolkien's life.
But the spooky faces and magic of Tolkien's characters were what inspired the show.
"I've always loved tales when much is accomplished against great adversity," she said.
"Bilbo [the central character] had a great heart and no idea of what he could achieve.
"He represents the potential within each of us."
Meanwhile, The Lord of the Rings Website, is playing two-minute segments of the movie from tomorrow.
Related Links
The Lord of the Rings Website
Fiery dragon warm-up act for Tolkien movie
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