Hollwood Fringe Review: Lord of the Rings – Fellowship of the Ring, Extended Edition Part 3

Riley Smith’s live rendition of the LOTR movie is bigger, better & funnier than before

One would think that the premise for Riley Smith’s one-man show, now in its third installment, had grown thin. Basically, he is acting out the extended edition of Peter Jackson’s film Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring not just scene-by-scene but shot-by-shot and line-by-line. There was a hilarious novelty to Part 1 (reviewed here) – like watching a compulsive-obsessive fan showcase his minute familiarity with film minutia – but how far can that go before melting down like a ring tossed into the fires of Mount Doom?

The answer turns out to be much, much farther. Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition: Part 3 is bigger and better than ever. It’s still a solo show, but instead of just a single actor in costume, Riley’s performance is now enhanced with sound design, a few props, and amplified audience engagement. It’s no longer a kind of freak show, watching the nerd bounce enthusiastically off the walls while acting out his beloved movie; it’s a communal experience in which viewers call out the lines like concert-goers singing their favorite lyrics, simulate the whispery soundtrack for the “Dark World” scenes, and even play a role on stage (three audience members are cast as Ring Wraiths, “riding” toy ponies).

The result is funnier than it seems possible – shouldn’t it be boring watching this guy recite the movie? Somehow, the absurdity of presenting a lavish cinematic blockbuster in the meagerest of terms is endlessly entertaining. More than that: the presentation rekindles the joy ignited by the movie while simultaneously offering subtle commentary (some of the dialogue and plot developments ring hollow when not glossed over with layers of computer-generated special effects).

As before, Riley’s onstage actions veer between artistic performance, athletic endurance test, and nerd pedantry (such as enacting some dialogue twice, once in Elvish, then in English, so the audience can understand what was said). Most of all, his love for the film shines through, inviting the audience to bask in and amplify it. It all sounds a little crazy when written down in words like this; however, seeing it for yourself will convert you into an enthusiastic Ring-bearer.

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition: Part 3 Photographs

Hobbit feet poking from beneath a curtain

Riley Smith enlists audience participation for the Ring Wraiths chase scene.

Riley Smith

Riley Smith