Warchus' extravagant, three-act stage production received its premiere at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre in March 2007. Warchus' three-act production premiered in London in May 2007 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It ended its run after 492 performances in July 2008.

The musical is the first stage adaptation of the literary epic and follows the hugely successful film trilogy.

The new tour, which is being designed to accomodate theatres around the globe, will launch in New Zealand in 2015. Tour markets have not been announced.

The new touring version will retain the "unique, thrilling and spectacular theatrical magic of the original production."

The Lord of the Rings was created by Olivier Award winning director Matthew Warchus (Matilda), Tony and Olivier Award winning choreographer Peter Darling (Matilda, Billy Elliot) and Tony and Olivier Award winning set and costume Designer Rob Howell (Matilda).

It has music by Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman ("Slumdog Millionaire"), Värttinä and Christopher Nightingale. The lyrics and libretto are by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus.

The Lord of the Rings has lighting by Paul Pyant, special effects by Greg Meeh, sound by Simon Baker and magic illusions by Paul Kieve.