Welcome to the Shire Traveler,
Thank you for joining us as we venture forth on our journey together. Our story begins “by some curious chance one morning long ago in the quiet of the world, when there was less noise and more green.” The Shire is home to the hobbits and above all…what is a hobbit? I will let Professor Tolkien, the mastermind of Middle-earth explain, “I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us. They are (or were) little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded Dwarves. Hobbits have no beards. There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large folk like you and me come along; they wear no shoes because their feet grow natural leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads; have good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner, which they have twice a day when they can get it). Now you know enough to go on with.” As I was saying, above all else, The Shire means comfort and here at the Northern Burlington Theater Department, we strive in an effort to make sure everyone feels comfortable and welcome.
The Hobbit first debuted in published form in 1937 but it was originally conceived as a bedtime story for Tolkien’s children. Accounts state that Tolkien only started to write the story down because his children would get frustrated and correct him when he was telling parts of the story that didn’t line up with or contradicted earlier parts of the story he had told on previous nights. So he began to write it down in an attempt to keep things straight to avoid his very attentive children’s outcries at bedtime. The Hobbit may have started off as a tale for a professor's gaggle of sleepy-eyed children but it has become an enduring and beloved story for all ages. The Hobbit is a story of courage, friendship, and the journey of self-discovery. At its heart, this tale reminds us that even the most unlikely heroes can make a difference. Bilbo Baggins, a humble little hobbit from the peaceful shire, embarks on a fantastical journey filled with danger, wonder, and transformation. He faces enormous challenges and ultimately discovers that bravery often lies just beneath the surface of ordinary life.
Our students have worked tirelessly to bring Tolkien’s Middle-earth to life here at Northern Burlington. We could not have achieved this without all their dedication and hard work as well as all the dedication and hard work from all of the faculty involved as well. The Hobbit is a story that means so much to me personally and I will be eternally grateful to them for making The Hobbit the very best it could be. Whether this story is already close to your heart or this is your first experience, I hope our passion and love for it inspires you as Tolkien’s work has continued to inspire us.
Sincerely,
Russell Palmieri, Director
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
-J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
