Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds - The New Generation: Alive on Stage!
Overview
In 1978 Jeff Wayne composed and produced one of the most ground-breaking and bestselling musical works of all time. In 2006 Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds took to the stage with audiences and critics hailing it as one of the most innovative combinations of music, technology and live performance. Now in 2013 The New Generation production is launched . With an all-star cast including Liam Neeson, Marti Pellow, Jason Donovan, Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson, Jetblack's Will Stapleton and Wicked's Kerry Ellis, plus stunning new 3D holography and a 3-ton 35ft Martian Fighting Machine, it's truly a musical multi-media extravaganza. Filmed Live at London's O2 Arena, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds is a show not to be missed!
Saw this when it toured as the New Generation (I saw the classic tours twice prior to that, and love how each time new elements are added), and revisiting it tonight was an utter joy. It loses half a star purely because Marti Pellow is no substitute for the magnificent Justin Hayward, and so my favourite track (Forever Autumn) doesn’t quite have the emotional impact of the original.
But, that aside, Ricky Wilson and Jason Donovan are both absolutely superb, and the energy they bring to their roles is electrifying.
A concept album that I will never tire of, a tour that evolves each time – yeah, I’ve booked for the return in 2022.