(The group encounters the WOODLAND ELF KING, who gives them a riddle.)
The play script of "The Hobbit" is widely available in PDF format online. Some popular sources include:
Directors and drama teachers who have journeyed to the Lonely Mountain offer sage advice:
Using puppetry for Gollum, Smaug, or the spiders is often more effective—and dramatic—than full costumes. the hobbit play script pdf
BILBO: I don't like this, Gandalf. I have a bad feeling about this.
The two most significant official stage adaptations were published by the Dramatic Publishing Company of Chicago. The first was a dramatization by Patricia Gray in 1968, and the second was a musical adaptation in 1972, with book by Ruth Perry, music by Allan Jay Friedman, and lyrics by David Rogers. While both were sold as "authorized by Professor J.R.R. Tolkien," this was more of a legal compromise than an artistic endorsement; Tolkien reportedly disliked Gray's version, but ultimately had to agree to it due to a complex copyright dispute at the time.
Leaner (designed for smaller ensembles playing multiple parts). Tone: Epic, theatrical, and deeply atmospheric. (The group encounters the WOODLAND ELF KING, who
: Frequently used by schools and youth theaters. It is known for its flexible casting (ideal for groups of 10 to 30+) and focus on the spirit of Tolkien's work [23, 24]. You can find it and other versions like it through Dramatic Publishing [15].
(They enter the cave, and encounter the TROLLS.)
Flexible (approx. 15-30+ actors, with opportunities for gender-neutral casting and large ensembles for goblins and elves). Running Time: Approximately 90–120 minutes. I have a bad feeling about this
For those looking to stage their own production of "The Hobbit," finding a reliable play script PDF can be a challenge. Here are a few options:
“Gollum moves with a spider-like gait, his eyes two pale lanterns in the dark. He does not speak to the audience; he speaks to the air.”