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TRUE STORY OF THE

MARTIAN INVASION

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jeff Wayne and I’m the Composer, Producer and Conductor of the Musical Version of 'The War of The Worlds’. If you’re familiar with it, then welcome back and I hope that you’ll enjoy browsing our new website which is full of new information and archive ‘classics’, including about Martian Fighting and Handling Machines, Heat Rays, Red Weed and Cylinders from Mars.

If you are new to the Invasion, let me tell you a little about myself…

In 1975 I first read HG Wells’ dark Victorian tale ‘The War of The Worlds’, gifted to me by my father, Jerry, as he knew I’d been looking for a unique story that could inspire me as a composer. When I read HG Wells’ dark Victorian tale I was hooked after one read, I could already hear ‘sound’. I knew then I had to write a Musical Work based upon such a fantastic story.

Fortunately I wasn’t the only person who felt that a Musical work based upon HG Wells’ iconic novel had promise, and we managed to attract an incredible cast - Richard Burton one of the leading men of his day, played The Journalist. The rest of our cast were musically based - and what a diverse and special group they were. The Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward (The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist), David Essex (The young Artilleryman), Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott (Parson Nathaniel), Manfred Manns Earth Band’s Chris Thompson (The Voice of Humanity) and Julie Covington (Beth, Parson Nathaniel’s wife).

By 1978 the double album was released on CBS Records (now part of Sony Music). The success was instant, and the support received was totally unexpected. I won two Ivor Novello Awards, my double album went Top 10 in 22 countries and No.1 in 11 of them. My Musical Version since 2006 has sold out Arenas worldwide and in 2012 we re-imagined the 1978 double album with a modern twist. Liam Neeson taking the baton from Richard Burton and Take That’s Gary Barlow, Kaiser Chief’s Ricky Wilson, Joss Stone, Alex Clare and Maverick Sabre becoming the cast for a New Generation. I should also add that since we began touring in 2006, the role of Carrie, The Journalist’s fiancée has become very much part of the heart of the story. I’m very proud that role has been performed beautifully by my daughter, Anna-Marie.

And that’s how I and the Martians met and started working together - we remain very close, except when our show erupts and we’re arch enemies, although we always wind up in the pub with cast, musicians and crew, sharing a brew.

I hope you will delve further into our website and learn more about the True Story of The Martian Invasion that is my musical version of… ‘The War of The Worlds’.

- JEFF WAYNE

18th November 2021

LIFE BEGINS AGAIN RELEASE

Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds is very proud to announce the release of 'Life Begins Again', a song for the times, performed by the cast of the upcoming 2022 arena tour:

Strictly Come Dancing's Kevin Clifton, Blue's Duncan James, Steps' Claire Richards, Inglorious' Nathan James, Stage & Screen's Anna-Marie Wayne and The Moody Blues' Justin Hayward.

But why a song for the times? Well, while the world has faced many challenges in recent years, commitment and faith remain at the heart of our chance for the future.

Life can, and will, begin again.

Watch the video here.

28th September 2021

FULL CAST ANNOUNCEMENT

Announcing the full cast of Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Life Begins Again Tour for 2022! Featuring extraordinary talent from all walks of entertainment, including some familiar faces, plus new ones too. Let us introduce you to them...

Strictly Come Dancing's Kevin Clifton, Blue's Duncan James, Steps' Claire Richards, Stage & Screen's Anna-Marie Wayne, Inglorious' Nathan James... AND The Moody Blues' Justin Hayward.

Book your tour tickets now for March & April 2022 at thewaroftheworlds.com/tickets

19th July 2021

NEW MERCH DROP!

In celebration of our first steps back into normality, Jeff & TWOTW team are excited to announce the release of our Limited Edition ‘Life Begins Again’ T-shirt!

To purchase one, please visit our e-store here.

And if you have a spare minute, please tag us and use the hashtag #LBATWOTW

3rd June 2021

MORNING PAPER... LIFE BEGINS AGAIN!

In celebration of our upcoming 2022 tour and the world starting to ease back into normality, we’re thrilled to share with you our brand new version of ‘Life Begins Again’. Performed by The Brave New World Singers and conducted by Jeff Wayne, it features all our Guest Artists from 2014, 2018, and recently announced for 2022 - Claire Richards and Kevin Clifton. Watch the video here!

28th April 2021

CAST ANNOUNCEMENT!

One of the most trailblazing arena tours of all time, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of ‘The War of The Worlds’ - Alive on Stage! returns to arenas throughout the UK in 2022, and we’re thrilled to announce two of our new cast members!

Steps’ and stage star Claire Richards makes her debut as Beth, The Parson’s Wife. With Steps, Claire has amassed fourteen Top 5 singles (including three Number 1’s), and three multi Platinum albums, including 20 million in record sales and seven sold-out arena tours. Claire is often our TV screens, including The One Show, Loose Women, Celebrity Big Brother and Popstar to Operastar, and her 2019 solo album, My Wildest Dreams, hit the UK Top 10.

Strictly and West End star Star Kevin Clifton will debut as The Artilleryman. Kevin has thrilled audiences in the West End and across the UK, starring in ‘Rock of Ages', ‘Dirty Dancing the Musical’ and 'The Wedding Singer’. Now, he’ll be returning to the stage in 2022 for this exciting role. Kevin is best known as a Pro Dancer on BBC One’s, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ being the only pro dancer to ever dance in four consecutive finals.

Final cast to be announced soon.

21st September 2020

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

We are happy to announce that after several months of planning with our associates at Universal Pictures, both the 2006 and 2012 DVDs of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds: Alive on Stage! will be added to their roster of musical events on ‘The Show Must Go On’ YouTube channel.

In 1978 Jeff Wayne composed and produced one of the most ground-breaking and bestselling musical works of all time with over 16 million albums sold to date.

In 2006 Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The World took to the stage for the first time with audiences and critics praising its innovative use of music, technology, live performance and special effects.

Today, it remains one of the most trailblazing live shows of all time soon to mark 16 years of extraordinary live touring.

The 2012 performances will be available to stream from 7.00pm (UK time) on Friday 16 October and the 2006 performance later on in the year.

Both will be available to be seen for a limited 48-hour period at no charge or sign-up required.