|
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the WorldsOpening Date: April 25, 2006
Closing Date: April 25, 2006 (Wembley Arena tour dates) Air date: Nov 6, 2006 Medium: DVD Where to watch: DVD (Europe and UK only) |
Stage Production Notes
In 1897, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells was published in serialized form. Its immense popularity led to the science fiction story being published as a novel. The book has since inspired plays, films, television series, and a wealth of sci-fi stories.
Seeking to write an original science fiction musical, composer Jeff Wayne decided to use “the most famous sci-fi book in the world,” as his source material. Wayne wrote the show over three years in collaboration with his father, Jerry Wayne, and wife, Doreen Wayne.
Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds recorded as a concept album by CBS Records (now Sony BMG) between 1976 and 1977, and released in June 1978 as a two-disc set. "Forever Autumn" and "The Eve of the War" were also released as singles.
With its unique orchestration combing prog rock (rock that is heavily influenced by classical music) and disco elements, the album was an huge success. It became one of the highest selling albums in UK history and, according to Jeff Wayne’s website, the album has sold approximately 15 million copies around the world and remains one of Sony/BMG’s most “consistent best selling albums.”
In 2006, fans of the album were finally able to see the music bought to life in a grandiose arena spectacular. Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds opened on April 13, 2006 at the Bournemouth International Center in the UK. The production included a holographic projection of Richard Burton, giant fire-breathing aliens, and epic visual effects. As with the album, the musical was a family affair with Jeff Wayne’s children appearing in the production.
To address the epic demands of the physical score, the production utilized MusicPads — early digital music readers.
The mammoth show toured the UK, playing at Wembley Arena and Royal Albert Hall.
War of the Worlds was re-mounted in 2007 with small adjustments making use of new technologies, touring Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
A new version of the show, called Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds — The New Generation toured throughout the UK in 2011, with an album version released in 2012. The O2 Arena concert was filmed live, and the DVD was released in 2013.
In 1897, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells was published in serialized form. Its immense popularity led to the science fiction story being published as a novel. The book has since inspired plays, films, television series, and a wealth of sci-fi stories.
Seeking to write an original science fiction musical, composer Jeff Wayne decided to use “the most famous sci-fi book in the world,” as his source material. Wayne wrote the show over three years in collaboration with his father, Jerry Wayne, and wife, Doreen Wayne.
Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds recorded as a concept album by CBS Records (now Sony BMG) between 1976 and 1977, and released in June 1978 as a two-disc set. "Forever Autumn" and "The Eve of the War" were also released as singles.
With its unique orchestration combing prog rock (rock that is heavily influenced by classical music) and disco elements, the album was an huge success. It became one of the highest selling albums in UK history and, according to Jeff Wayne’s website, the album has sold approximately 15 million copies around the world and remains one of Sony/BMG’s most “consistent best selling albums.”
In 2006, fans of the album were finally able to see the music bought to life in a grandiose arena spectacular. Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds opened on April 13, 2006 at the Bournemouth International Center in the UK. The production included a holographic projection of Richard Burton, giant fire-breathing aliens, and epic visual effects. As with the album, the musical was a family affair with Jeff Wayne’s children appearing in the production.
To address the epic demands of the physical score, the production utilized MusicPads — early digital music readers.
The mammoth show toured the UK, playing at Wembley Arena and Royal Albert Hall.
War of the Worlds was re-mounted in 2007 with small adjustments making use of new technologies, touring Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
A new version of the show, called Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds — The New Generation toured throughout the UK in 2011, with an album version released in 2012. The O2 Arena concert was filmed live, and the DVD was released in 2013.
Filmed Production Notes
Following lengthy negotiations, Universal Pictures agreed to film Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds live. The show was filmed live on April 25th, 2006 at Wembley Arena.
The DVD was released in November 2006 and was the highest selling music DVD in the UK for seven weeks. The two-disc set included behind-the-scenes and rehearsal footage, and interviews with creative team members and the cast.
Peter Bradshaw writing for The Guardian gave the film a two-star review and stated "The bloated and stately spectacle may have just worked on stage, but it's decidedly ropey on film." He summarized, "You probably had to be there."
Fans of the show gave the recording much higher praise, with the vast majority of IMDb and Amazon reviewers noting the spectacular production values, and celebrating the brilliance of the score.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, the musical was streamed for free from October 23-25, 2020, on the YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On.
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds is available on DVD in Europe and the UK.
Following lengthy negotiations, Universal Pictures agreed to film Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds live. The show was filmed live on April 25th, 2006 at Wembley Arena.
The DVD was released in November 2006 and was the highest selling music DVD in the UK for seven weeks. The two-disc set included behind-the-scenes and rehearsal footage, and interviews with creative team members and the cast.
Peter Bradshaw writing for The Guardian gave the film a two-star review and stated "The bloated and stately spectacle may have just worked on stage, but it's decidedly ropey on film." He summarized, "You probably had to be there."
Fans of the show gave the recording much higher praise, with the vast majority of IMDb and Amazon reviewers noting the spectacular production values, and celebrating the brilliance of the score.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, the musical was streamed for free from October 23-25, 2020, on the YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On.
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds is available on DVD in Europe and the UK.
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Wembley Arena
Producer: Universal Pictures, Ray Jones, Damian Collier, Dave Crowe, Stuart Watts, Jeff Wayne
Book and Lyrics: Doreen Wayne, Jerry Wayne (based on the original text by H.G. Wells)
Music: Jeff Wayne
Director: Jeff Wayne, film: David Mallett
Scenic Design: Jonathan Park
Costume Design: Rachel Walsh
Lighting Design: Steve Nolan
Stage Manager: Kevin Hopgood
Conductor: Jeff Wayne
Cast:
Lewis McLeod (The Martian Voices)
Richard Burton (voice only, George Herbert, The Journalist)
Justin Hayward (The Sung Thought of The Journalist)
Alexis James (The Artilleryman)
Anna-Marie Wayne (Carrie - George Herbert's Fiancée)
Chris Thompson (The Voice of Humanity)
Russell Watson (Parson Nathaniel)
Tara Blaise (Beth - The Parson's Wife)
Jerry Wayne (The Voices of NASA Control)
Rachel Sternberg (Rebecca)
Mark Mansfield (The Journalist / Artilleryman)
Dulcie Lewis
Adrian Mansfield
Faith Mansfield
Gerry Mansfield
Tamsin Mansfield
Simon Naylor
Aaron Robson (Richard Burton's Facial Reconstruction)
Lauren Thomas
The Black Smoke Band
ULLAdubULLA Strings
Theatre: Wembley Arena
Producer: Universal Pictures, Ray Jones, Damian Collier, Dave Crowe, Stuart Watts, Jeff Wayne
Book and Lyrics: Doreen Wayne, Jerry Wayne (based on the original text by H.G. Wells)
Music: Jeff Wayne
Director: Jeff Wayne, film: David Mallett
Scenic Design: Jonathan Park
Costume Design: Rachel Walsh
Lighting Design: Steve Nolan
Stage Manager: Kevin Hopgood
Conductor: Jeff Wayne
Cast:
Lewis McLeod (The Martian Voices)
Richard Burton (voice only, George Herbert, The Journalist)
Justin Hayward (The Sung Thought of The Journalist)
Alexis James (The Artilleryman)
Anna-Marie Wayne (Carrie - George Herbert's Fiancée)
Chris Thompson (The Voice of Humanity)
Russell Watson (Parson Nathaniel)
Tara Blaise (Beth - The Parson's Wife)
Jerry Wayne (The Voices of NASA Control)
Rachel Sternberg (Rebecca)
Mark Mansfield (The Journalist / Artilleryman)
Dulcie Lewis
Adrian Mansfield
Faith Mansfield
Gerry Mansfield
Tamsin Mansfield
Simon Naylor
Aaron Robson (Richard Burton's Facial Reconstruction)
Lauren Thomas
The Black Smoke Band
ULLAdubULLA Strings
Sources
Articles
Websites
- Peter Bradshaw, "The War of the Worlds – Alive on Stage! – review," The Guardian (April 4, 2013)
- Andrew Pulver, "Jeff Wayne and David Essex: how we made The War of the Worlds," The Guardian (Jan 14, 2014)
Websites
- IMDb, "Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds," Accessed via: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0829440/reviews?start=10
- “Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds," Accessed via: http://www.thewaroftheworlds.com/default.aspx
Written by Luisa Lyons (May, 2017; updated October 2020)