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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

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.

10th September 2020

JEFF WAYNE’S MUSICAL VERSION OF 'TWOTW': THE LIFE BEGINS AGAIN TOUR - RESCHEDULED FOR 2022

Jeff Wayne’s multi-award-winning masterpiece, touring the major arenas of the UK and abroad since 2006, has had to postpone its previously announced 2021 UK and European Tour until March 2022. Find the new dates on our 'Ticket' page.

No matter how disappointing this has been, we know we are the lucky ones who will perform once again.

All previously purchased tickets remain valid.

The LIFE BEGINS AGAIN Tour, is named after an existing song within the Musical Version, a song about life returning to normal following the Martians' failure to foresee Earth's bacteria.

Now, Mankind will look forward to life beginning again.

As many know, when the Martians invade Earth, they terrifyingly exclaim ULLA!
When we return, we believe it will be a cry of joy instead.

Thank you.

JEFF WAYNE AND THE WAR OF THE WORLDS TEAM

2nd September 2020

BBC RADIO SUFFOLK ANNOUNCES A MAJOR 14-PART INTERVIEW WITH JEFF WAYNE

TWOTW TEAM is very pleased to announce that Jeff Wayne will be chatting to presenter James Hazell in a 15-part radio series, covering the past, present & future of Jeff’s life - and of course the impact TWOTW has had on Jeff since the original double album was released in 1978.

This radio series, will be launched on Radio Suffolk on September 7th @ 1:35pm, culminating with it as a podcast.

The 14-part series, is a BBC Radio first and covers Jeff’s life, from New York to Mars…

We hope you will find time to listen to some, or even all of this special recording.