THIS has to be one of the most uninventive, unimaginative and lacklustre productions I have sat through.

On a page, JRR Tolkien's words come to life in the minds of readers, leaving the imagination to run wild. A whole world is born.

When transformed to the stage in this production, you are left with a wordy, colourless adaptation that leaves a lot to be desired.

Of course, Tolkien has form when it comes to his writing being staged in the confines of the theatre.

Lord Of The Rings in London's West End, reputedly the world's most-expensive stage production, closed earlier than anticipated.

In my view, although a lot of the plot and dialogue was drawn out, the staging was a masterclass in theatre and should have been on the syllabus of every theatre practitioner trainee.

This version of Tolkien's other favoured work, however, is greatly disappointing in terms of both narrative and staging.

In essence, it lacks courage and creativity.

The production starts out with some very unique lighting from John Harris, a fight scene during which the lighting seems equivalent to turning them on and off.

When the music starts things get worse, a droning score that seems out of place, distracting from the 'action'.

And it was this 'action' that was the main problem.

The Hobbit and Thorin's Company undertake a journey and yet there was a lack of movement.

This is both physically and metaphorically.

Two pieces of scenery spinning around does not conjure up the many miles travelled through Tolkien's world however many times you spin them around.

Neither do dragons in which you can see the puppeteer's leg sticking out, or pantomime-style pyrotechnics.

There were glimmers of hope within the cast.

Peter Howe was competent as Bilbo Baggins and so was Andrew Coppin as Thorin Oakenshield, although often resorting to simply shouting his anger and feelings rather than conveying through alternative forms of acting.

Christopher Robbie as Gandalf was unconvincing.

As a production for schools, in an assembly hall or smaller venue, this show may work.

Then again, the children dotted around me seemed to be as unengaged with the production as I was.

It runs at the Theatre Royal until tomorrow.

JONPAUL HEDGE