Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant success when published in 1937. Performance at 2nd Street Theater December 5-7. The Hobbit cast includes 24 local actors, ages eight through 15.
When it was first published in the United States, the American Library Association’s reviewer said, “At this time of writing, still under the spell of the story, I cannot bend my mind to ask myself whether our American children will like it. My impulse is to say if they don’t, so much the worse for them . . . The story is full of authentic bits of mythology and magic and the book has a rare quality of style. It is written with a quiet humor and the logical detail in which children take delight . . . All those, young or old, who love a finely imagined story, beautifully told, will take The Hobbit to their hearts.”
Bilbo Baggins was a very well-to-do hobbit. The Bagginses have lived in the neighborhood of The Hill for time out of mind and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say to any question without the bother of asking him.
Bilbo, one of the most conservative of all Hobbits, is asked to leave his large, roomy and very dry home in the ground in order to set off as chief robber in an attempt to recover an important treasure. It’s the last thing that any sensible Hobbit would want to do, but great benefit eventually results, not only for Bilbo but for all of the dwarves who inhabit Middle Earth and also for the hearts of those children and adults who continue to enjoy this kind of magic.
BEAT (home of Quality Youth Theatre) is fortunate to have Emilee Lathrop choose to direct The Hobbit (adapted for the stage by Patricia Gray). When asked why people should come see the play, Lathrop replied, “Because it’s a classic story for all ages. Full of adventure and excitement. Tolkien was a mastermind and to see his words acted out by our younger generation not only encourages reading of the classics but also the understanding of adventure.”
The Hobbit cast includes 24 local actors, ages eight through 15.
PERFORMANCES
2nd Street Theater
December 5, 6, 12, 13 @ 7pm
December 6 and 13 @ @2pm
December 7 and 14 @ 3pm
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beatonline.org or 541-419-5558
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