The child-friendly stage production of Tolkien’s fantasy novel The Hobbit – which recently won a Naledi award for Best Production for Children & Young Audiences – is back at National Children’s Theatre (NCT) from 14 September to 6 October.
South African director Alan Swerdlow, who steered the award-winning 2023 production, returns with the unique children’s play, which will thrill young and old, on the same stage where it enjoyed its great success.
“I’m so thrilled that NCT was recognised for their production of this brilliant play,” says Swerdlow. “It helps to build enormous credibility for the theatre, and our win has already driven up demand for the play. We have seen enquiries from families and schools across the country about us taking the play on the road.”
The Hobbit is based on a 2019 adaption by Greg Banks for the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, USA, and stars a versatile five-person cast of talented young actors.
“The Hobbit is quite frankly the most fun adventure that kids and parents can have in the whole of Middle Earth,” quips Swerdlow. “It does what theatre does best – it tells a great story simply, using the imagination of the audience.”
The fast-moving hour-long play is suitable for children aged 7 – 16 – especially older children and teenagers. The play tells the tale of home-loving hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who gets a visit from Gandalf The Wizard, and then embarks on a quest to recover the lost treasure of Lonely Mountain – guarded by Smaug, the dragon.
The show is an indoor production, with sophisticated lighting by Jane Gosnell, set design and costumes by Sarah Roberts, and music by Dale Scheepers, adding to the drama of the play.
Award-winning actor Gamelihle Bovana returns to the celebrated show as Bilbo Baggins, alongside Jeremy Richard as Gandalf, Jayson Tsebe as Thorin, Priyana Bandu as Smaug and Kamogelo Nong as the Elven Queen.
“This play uses such a creative, innovative way of telling the story,” says Swerdlow. “Fantasy movies use casts of thousands, but here, much of the action takes place in the audience’s imagination. We manage to evoke the same thrills, humour and excitement, by engaging the minds of our audience, and taking them along on the journey with us.”NCT CEO Tamara Guhrs says that because theatre encourages young audiences to use their imagination, it is a powerful way to improve cognitive skills and performance in creative subjects at school.
“Children’s theatres – and plays like The Hobbit in particular – require the audience to participate creatively, a skill that will serve them well at school and throughout their lives,” says Guhrs.
The Hobbit is a classic tale that precedes Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings trilogy. The original novel, published in 1937, is now one of the best-selling books of all time. It originated as a bedtime story for the children of SA-born author J.R.R. Tolkien. As such, it was nothing like the dark, disturbing, drawn-out movie versions.
“There are no really scary passages in the stage version,” says Swerdlow. “It’s more about the excitement of following our heroic hobbit on his quest through Middle Earth – through hills and valleys, until he ultimately saves the day!”
The Hobbit is a not-to-be-missed theatre experience for children of all ages, and offers a unique opportunity for kids to unleash their creative imagination. The show runs from 14 September to 6 October 2024. To book, visit www.nctheatresa.org/shows. For school block bookings, email hello@NCTheatreSA.org.za or call 011 484 1584 or 071 429 2570.
