Turning back the clock for The Hobbit (From The Oxford Times)

Turning back the clock for The Hobbit

9:30am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News

PUPILS at New College School in Oxford held a 75th birthday party for JRR Tolkien ’s The Hobbit yesterday by singing a few numbers from their musical production of the novel.

Pupils performed the musical in the summer 45 years after it was first staged at the Savile Road school.

Paul Drayton wrote the musical for the school, and staff and pupils were humbled when the Oxford author himself attended the final performance in 1967.

Headmaster Robert Gullifer said: “The performance this summer was very well received. We had great compliments all round, and the boys loved it.”

Director of music Richard Poyser added: “It was great, we had a really good time. I have always loved Tolkien, I read The Lord of The Rings a few times.

“I thought the music in the production was very effective, it dealt well with Tolkien’s poetry, and created a suitable atmosphere.”

Yesterday marked the beginning of Oxonmoot, a weekend of celebrations which coincides with Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ shared birthday today. About 200 Tolkien fans are expected to meet at Lady Margaret Hall.