About the work
“Der Hobbit” is a stage adaptation by Greg Banks of J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel of the same name, first published on 21 September 1937 by George Allen & Unwin in London and available in German, among other versions, as “Der kleine Hobbit” (Walter Scherf, 1957) and “Der Hobbit oder Hin und zurück” (Wolfgang Krege, 1997). Banks' adaptation for five actors and two musicians, with an original score by Thomas Johnson, premiered on 12 March 2019 at Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis. At the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, directed by Christina Rast, the production scheduled for November 2026 is the German-language premiere of this stage version.
Plot
The hobbit Bilbo Baggins is sent on a journey by the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield to reclaim the dwarves' treasure, guarded by the dragon Smaug. Along the way he encounters trolls, goblins and giant spiders, as well as the mysterious Gollum, from whom he wins a magic ring. Over the course of the dangerous journey the initially reluctant hobbit grows into a hero who, after Smaug's death in the Battle of the Five Armies, returns home with his share of the treasure.
Cultural significance
“The Hobbit” is the prequel to Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings”, has been translated into more than 60 languages and, as one of the foundational works of the genre, shaped modern fantasy literature. Besides several film adaptations, including Peter Jackson's film trilogy (2012–2014), the story has been staged many times; Banks' version has since its Minneapolis premiere also been performed at other US theatres such as Dobama Theatre in Cleveland and Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia.