Following a triumphant UK and European arena tour in 2012, Live Nation and SJM Concerts, are delighted to announce that one of the most ground-breaking tours of all time, Jeff Waynes Musical Version of The War of The Worlds is to return for the sixth and final time to The O2 on 27th November 2014.
The announcement coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Orson Welles iconic radio adaptation,the 35th anniversary of Jeff Waynes classic multi-platinum album and the 115th anniversary of HG Wells classic novel.
The show will again feature a stellar cast with Jeff Wayne returning to the Podium to conduct the 9-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings with the final two musical Guest Artistes to be announced.
Liam Neesons 3D holographic performance as The Journalist will also return but with enhanced technology.
The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist will be performed by Brian McFadden, Jason Donovan is reprising his hugely popular role as Parson Nathaniel and Carrie Hope Fletcher featuring as Beth, Parson Nathaniel's Wife, direct from her current and widely acclaimed West Endperformance in Les Miserables, as Eponine.
The production will be the sixth UK tour in eight years. Jeff Wayne said: Bringing The War of The Worlds to life in many of the worlds finest arenas has been the most amazing experience for me over the last seven years. Weve achieved more than we ever thought was possible both musically and technologically.
However, the time is right to take The War of The Worlds in new directions after the 2014 tour. I am so very appreciative of the fantastic support over the years from so many established fans as well as numerous new ones weve attracted. Thank you all sincerely.
All I can say for the future of TWOTW is " Watch this space!
Westlife Star Brian McFadden is excited about being involved in the show. He commented:
Ive long been a fan of The War of The Worlds and am so excited to be involved in the tour. Its a true honour to be involved in this electrifying show and to be joining such an exciting cast, including singing the thoughts of The Journalist, who is played by one of my Irish heroes, Liam Neeson. Its also a thrill to be performing the two international Hit Singles The Eve of The War and Forever Autumn. I cant wait for the tour to start " its going to be incredible!
Jason Donovan said he was delighted to be reprising his role as Parson Nathaniel having played it last year. He said:
The War of The Worlds is a classic. This production is on a scale like nothing I have ever done before " the effects are breath-taking both in front and behind the stage! Its also one of the most enjoyable, most exciting and most memorable musical productions of all time. Its a true honour to be returning for the third time, especially as this is the final Arena tour.
Les Miserables star Carrie Hope Fletcher, who also has a significant YouTube following, and whose brother, Tom Fletcher, is McFlys guitarist, said: Im delighted to have been cast as Beth, Parson Nathaniels wife: I genuinely cant wait to get started. My family and I grew up listening to the album and now Im going to be a part of it. My character levitates and disappears into thin air in full view of the audience, so thats rather exciting too!
The new live production will once again include:
Liam Neesons performance in 3D holography sees him as an 11-foot high 'head and shoulders' as The Journalist recounting in 1904 his story of survival from the Martian invasion of Victorian England of six years earlier. However Liams performance will be seen with new technological advancements.
Liam Neesonwill also seen in full body on stage interacting with the show's live performers. A triumph of technology and a remarkable performance by Liam.
A 100-foot wide 'Animation Wall'.
The iconic 3-tonne, 35-foot tall Martian Fighting Machine firing real flame Heat Rays at the audience and scanning them with its bug-like eyes, as it 'lands' on centre stage.
Special effects and illusions including a world first 'levitation' and the Martian Fighting Machine's 'incineration' of a cast member.
Leaf drops over the audience and surround sound that engulfs them,contributing to the all-encompassing experience that is The War of The Worlds.
The tour announcement follows the DVD and Blu-ray released on Monday 25 November 2013 of Jeff Waynes Musical Version of The War of The Worlds, The New Generation. Filmed at a sold-out London O2 Arena, it features Liam Neeson as George Herbert The Journalist in 3D holography and an all-star cast including Marti Pellow as The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist, Jason Donovan as Parson Nathaniel, Wickeds Kerry Ellis as his wife Beth, Kaiser Chiefs front-man Ricky Wilson as The Artilleryman and Jettblacks Will Stapleton.
Jeff Wayne's double album was originally released by CBS Records in 1978. It has enjoyed huge success and critical acclaim across the globe with over 15 million records sold and spending over 330 weeks in the UK Album Charts (to date) plus achieving two International hit singles " 'Forever Autumn' and 'The Eve of The War'. It has been Number 1 in 11 countries around the world and Top 10 in 22.
The War of The Worlds has also won two prestigious UK Ivor Novello Awards, the US Best Recording in Science Fiction and Fantasy (the judges included Alfred Hitchcock, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg), as well as winning for Jeff, Classic Rock's 'Showman of The Year' Award.
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds has grown into a true classic, acquiring new generations of devoted followers since its original release.
