PREVIEW: A Tale of Fellowship – Musical exploring the early life of The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien
The Music Room at the Royal Pavilion – Thursday 24 September 2026
A new musical exploring the early life of The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien is coming to Brighton for a special one-night-only concert at the iconic 18th-century landmark Royal Pavilion building this week.
A Tale of Fellowship will be presented in the Music Room at the Royal Pavilion on Thursday 24 September, ahead of plans for a full week-long production of the musical in 2026.
Written by composer and lyricist Joseph Purdue, the musical tells the story of a young Tolkien and the friendship that inspired the creation of a fellowship of four creative students during the early 20th century.
Following the sudden death of his mother, an orphaned Tolkien finds solace at King Edward’s School, where he meets three fellow students who share his passion for art and creativity. Together they form a club where they can pursue their artistic ambitions, despite opposition from parents and guardians.
Their friendship is then tested by the outbreak of the First World War. The four young men enlist, while Tolkien is also forced to say goodbye to Edith, the love of his life. Separated by war, the friends continue to share their writing, drawings and ideas through letters, supporting one another through some of the darkest periods of their lives. It is during this time that the first stories that would eventually become part of Tolkien’s Middle-earth begin to take shape.
The concert aims to explore the musical’s central question: why does art matter? It considers the role that creativity, friendship and the arts can play in sustaining people through difficult times.
The performance will feature leading West End performers including Tom Hier, whose credits include Miss Saigon and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, alongside Samantha Thomas, who has appeared in Wicked and Les Misérables.
The evening will feature songs from A Tale of Fellowship, together with selections from some of Purdue’s other musicals and a number of well-known favourites.
The Royal Pavilion concert is being held in support of plans to bring the full musical to the stage as a week-long production in 2026, offering audiences the chance to hear the music and encounter the story in concert form.
Joseph Purdue said: “A Tale of Fellowship is a true story about four young creatives, who hope to combine their artistic talents to bring positive change to the world.”
The concert takes place in the Music Room at the Royal Pavilion on Thursday 24 September 2026, from 7.30pm until 10pm.
More information about A Tale of Fellowship and the Royal Pavilion concert can be found at josephpurdue.com/a-tale-of-fellowship.
Details
A Tale of Fellowship – Musical exploring the early life of The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien.
Dates: 7.30-10pm Thursday 24 September 2026
Venue: The Music Room at the Royal Pavilion, 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton BN1 1EE.
Tickets: £25.
Accessible: Find out more here
Covering everything from fringe theatre to major tours across Brighton and Hove – tag us if you’re going
