Exclusive interview by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
A sensational new exhibition celebrating the magic of J.R.R. Tolkien is opening at The Atkinson in Southport.
The unique display features an incredible collection of memorabilia related to works such as The Hobbit, The Lord of The Rings and more by avid collector Matt Fox.
Matt is a familiar figure at The Atkinson, having brought his Star Wars collection for ‘May The Toys Be With You’ in 2016-17 and ‘I Grew Up 80s’ in 2021-22.
‘The Magic Of Middle-earth’ by Matt Fox opens at The Atkinson on Saturday 21st June 2025 and runs until Saturday 27th September 2025. Admission is free.
It is one of three new exhibitions launching at The Atkinson, alongside I Love You Southport by Chila Burman and the 150th Anniversary Exhibition.
Matt Fox is giving a free talk on The Magic of Middle-earth 11am-12pm this Saturday, where he will be talking about his collection.
Through The Magic of Middle-earth, he has brought together a magical treasure trove of over 200 rare objects.
An exhibition of family fun for all ages, from little halflings to wizened wizards, immerse yourself in Middle-earth and the many ways it has been reinterpreted since Tolkien first penned those famous words, “In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit…”
He said: “I loved reading books like The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings when I was growing up. His works are magical.
“J.R.R. Tolkien is the grandfather of fantasy fiction. He didn’t just create characters, he also created new worlds, new languages, and inspired people’s imagination.
“You can put down one of his books, and you feel as though the world he created still exists.
“When Tolkien started writing, there wasn’t a fantasy shelf in bookshops.
“What his imagination created is unparalleled.
“He has inspired so many people. Not just writers, but also artists, and we have some fascinating Tolkien inspired art on display.
“He also inspired musicians, such as Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, and we have a music section to this exhibition.
“He was also a huge champion for the environment and sustainability and in that, he was decades ahead of his time. He really respected the natural, living, breathing world. You can see that through his characters such as the Treebeards.
“Since the Peter Jackson movies, Tolkien’s work has really become universal, admired and enjoyed by people of all ages from across the world.
“My exhibition reflects that. I have some very special objects that will appeal to people who connect with Tolkien’s work in a variety of ways.
“Something very special I have here is a first impression of The Hobbit book.
“It’s not just a first edition, it’s a first impression, which means it’s one of the first 1,500 copies of the book from the first ever print run. It’s extremely rare – there can’t be many left surviving in the world.
“It’s interesting to see the changes. In the first edition, Gollum was a much friendlier character, while in the later editions, he became slightly more sinister.
“I have movie posters showcasing the movies; I have a display case with some of the big Lord Of The Rings LEGO sets!
“Visitors will be able to enjoy a special battle scene diorama of The Battle Of Helm’s Deep which looks really spectacular.
“You can also come face to face with an animatronic dragon which will scare the kids! Hopefully not too much.
“I have a famous Athena poster of the Lord Of The Rings from the 1970s, which was designed by Jimmy Cauty, who later went on to form the band The KLF!”
Since Matt’s Magic of Middle-earth exhibition was announced, it has inspired the launch of a Southport Tolkien Trail this summer with several local businesses taking part.
People will be ankle to enjoy a new Southport Tolkien Trail this summer with several local businesses taking part.
Venues taking part include: Harp Coffee & Games, 28 King Street; The Plant Room, 18 Market Street; Legacy Records, 18C Tulketh Street; Make It Workshop, 8 Cambridge Walks; Tap & Bottles, 19A Cambridge Arcade; The Atkinson, Lord Street; Parkinsons Books, 361-363 Lord Street; and Bijou Cinema, 8 Post Office Avenue.
Matt said: “It’s been lovely to see all these Southport venues coming together to start their own Tolkien Trail!
”It’s a really fun idea and a lovely way of exploring Southport.
“It’s a very Tolkien thing to do, to inspire people to set off on their own adventure!”
As curator with impressive collections of Tolkien memorabilia; Star Wars memorabilia; 80s memorabilia; how does he fit everything in his house?
“In my home I try not to have anything out!” he said.
“I try very hard to dovetail my exhibitions.
“Sometimes though, as with many people, my guest bedroom still sometimes has to suffer!
“All of us collectors are slightly crazy.
“I started collecting keyrings when I was a child, and it has grown from there. I started collecting Lord Of The Rings memorabilia from a very early age. I used to love playing Dungeons and Dragons, which had to change some of the names of its characters.
“I think collecting is something you’re born with!”
- For more details visit: The Magic Of Middle-earth – The Atkinson
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