UK Arena Tour Announced for Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
Posted on 11/29/2011 |
Based on HG Wells’ Classic Science Fiction Story
The Dazzling, Groundbreaking Arena Production Launches a New Era
Starring LIAM NEESON in 3D Holography, as George Herbert, The Journalist
New Double Album Coming June 2012
“…Dazzling…I felt a shiver of excitement...” - Daily Telegraph
“…Fabulous” **** - The Times
“…Simply Epic!” - The Sun
“…Who could ask for more…” - Evening Standard
“…Thoroughly entertaining.” “Truly impressive” - BBC News
“…Mind - Melting, Multi-Media Extravaganza” - The West Australian
“…The whole thing is brilliant” - This is Lancashire
“…A two-hour spectacular of gargantuan proportions” - This is Nottingham
The Martians are back, for a new generation…
One of the most successful stage shows of recent times, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, returns to UK Arenas with a new star and another technological leap forward.
‘The New Generation’ of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds launched in conjunction with Sony Music, Live Nation and SJM Concerts, featuring a new interpretation of the classic recording followed by a major international arena tour commencing November 2012. Purchase Tickets
Internationally acclaimed actor Liam Neeson will be seen in 3D holography as the story's narrator and leading a new cast. Neeson will be seen in 3 ways: appearing as the first full body hologram seen on stage interacting with live actors, as an 11-foot high holographic head and shoulders hovering above the stage, and appearing within the 2-hour CGI film projected onto the incredible 100 foot wide ‘animation wall’ which adds a true epic scale to the production.
After 33 years since its original release, Liam takes over from Richard Burton, whose holographic head had appeared in the show since 2006, using the original narration from Jeff Wayne's classic 1978 album, a sound that has lived long in the memory and deep in the psyche of generations who have heard it.
Over the years, Jeff was often asked how he would approach composing and producing The War of The Worlds in today’s world, rather than the era of the mid 1970s, when disco was king of the dance floor, punk was the revolutionary music of the day and science fiction was being re-discovered in the movies and on TV.
He always answered ‘why fix what isn’t broken?.’ He was proud of the Work and especially of all those who had contributed their varied talents to bring it to life - David Essex, Justin Hayward, Phil Lynott, Chris Thompson, Julie Covington, and of course, Richard Burton. What Jeff never predicted was the extraordinary life his musical interpretation of HG Wells’ visionary and dark Victorian tale would have. Now some 33 years on and as Jeff approached his sixth year of touring The War of The Worlds - Alive on Stage! and an animated feature film now in development, this same question kept returning.
“After long consideration,” says Jeff, “I concluded that for future productions, some of HG Wells’ storylines and characters should be re-explored. It would also give me the chance to re-interpret my compositions with the production techniques of today, exciting from a musician’s point of view.
“But perhaps the greatest opportunity was revisiting the main character of George Herbert, The Journalist and the development of the love story between George and his fiancée Carrie (played by Anna-Marie Wayne). While it may have been the greatest opportunity, it was also the hardest decision to make because I knew that with a re-developed storyline, a new Journalist would need to be sought as Richard Burton’s original performance, was finite.
“And whoever that person might turn out to be, he would have to be of no less stature and quality of voice than that of Richard – an incredibly tough act to follow.
But once again I have been fortunate and have attracted Liam Neeson to these New Generation productions. He has, so-to-speak, been handed the ‘baton’ from Richard Burton, and I believe audiences and listeners alike will find Liam’s interpretation no less compelling.”
By good fortune, Liam is a huge fan of the original album, having purchased it when it was first released in 1978. And ironically, as the ‘new kid on the block’, he acted in a mini TV series on what turned out to be one of Richard Burton's last roles before his untimely passing.
CONFIRMED TOUR: December 2012
SATURDAY 01 LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA
SUNDAY 02 CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA
TUESDAY 04 NOTTINGHAM CAPITAL FM ARENA
THURSDAY 06 LONDON WEMBLEY ARENA
FRIDAY 06 BIRMINGHAM NIA
SATURDAY 08 MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS ARENA
SUNDAY 09 SHEFFIELD MOTORPOINT ARENA
MONDAY 10 NEWCASTLE METRO RADIO ARENA
TUESDAY 11 GLASGOW SECC
THURSDAY 13 BOURNEMOUTH BIC
SATURDAY 15 LONDON O2 ARENA
SUNDAY 16 BRIGHTON BRIGHTON CENTRE
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