Laura Michelle Kelly to Play Galadriel in London's Lord of the Rings

Laura Michelle Kelly has joined the London cast of the stage version of The Lord of the Rings, according to The Daily Mail. She will play Elven queen Galadriel, the role played by Cate Blanchett in Peter Jackson's film trilogy, when the production opens at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on June 19 following previews from May 9.

Kelly won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Mary Poppins. Her extensive West End credits include taking over the role of Swallow in the original production of Whistle Down the Wind, Eponine in Les Miserables, Sophie in Mamma Mia! and Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. She also appeared as Hodel in the original cast of the 2004 Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. The actress released her debut solo album, The Storm Inside, last summer.

The Lord of the Rings, directed by Matthew Warchus, features music by A.R. Rahman and Varttina with Christopher Nightingale and a book and lyrics by Warchus and Shaun McKenna. This stage version was originally presented in Toronto in March 2006. According to The Daily Mail report, the creative team has completely rewritten the book, changed the score and shortened the running time for the West End version.