Andy Serkis is set to embark on an unexpected journey on Friday morning, as he has announced that he is hosting a continuous live reading of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit to raise money for charity during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Taking to Twitter, the actor, who played Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies, invited fans to tune in for the “armchair marathon” across Middle Earth, which is expected to take approx. 12 hours from start to finish.
I want to take you on one of the greatest fantasy adventures ever written. Join me for a 12-hour armchair marathon reading of “The Hobbit”, in aid of two amazing charities which are doing extraordinary work right now to help those most in need@NHSuk @bestbeginnings #hobbitathon pic.twitter.com/q8qIO3diPT
— Andy Serkis (@andyserkis) May 7, 2020
The Hobbitathon will start at 10:00 AM GMT (5:00 AM EST, 2:00 AM PST) on Friday, May 8th. The link to the live stream will be posted on the official GoFundMe page for the event, which is in aid of NHS Charities Together and Best Beginnings.
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“So many of us are struggling in isolation during the lockdown,” Serkis said in a video accompanying the announcement. “While times are tough, I want to take you on one of the greatest fantasy adventures ever written, a 12-hour armchair marathon across Middle Earth whilst raising money for two amazing charities which are doing extraordinary work right now to help those most in need.”
This campaign comes shortly after celebrities signed up to collaboratively read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first of J.K. Rowling’s beloved fantasy book series. Daniel Radcliffe launched the project by reading the first chapter of the book as part of the next phase of the Harry Potter At Home initiative, run by J.K. Rowling and the Wizarding World team of magic makers.
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For more lockdown entertainment offerings, check out John Krasinski’s YouTube series “dedicated entirely to good news”, listen to Seth MacFarlane’s podcast hosted by Family Guy’s Stewie and Brian, watch Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor Who give an “emergency transmission”, and tune in for Sir Patrick Stewart’s daily sonnet readings.
More importantly, for a list of recommendations on how best to help, and stay safe, during the coronavirus pandemic, please read our resource guide.
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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.
Source: IGN.com Andy Serkis to Give 12-Hour Live Reading of The Hobbit for Charity