H G Wells' War of the Worlds has been one of my favourite books since I was a child and Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds has been one of my favourite albums since I was a teenager. The music takes a hold on the emotions and control of the imagination from those first powerful notes. It's a trip. Now this stage version, conducted by Jeff Wayne himself, adds a glorious, dramatic visual dimension to a musical version of the sci-fi classic, that already rocked. I was prepared to be sad about the absence of Richard Burton, Phil Lynott, Julie Covington and David Essex, but it still has Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson. The Burton 'talking head' is pretty spooky and adds a certain something. The new kids, Alexis James, Tara Blaise and Russell Watson are excellent replacements for their excellent predecessors. Great performances all round. The Martian tripods look absolutely authentic. The film, the light show (which I think even Pink Floyd could have been proud of), the orchestra, the… more »

H G Wells' War of the Worlds has been one of my favourite books since I was a child and Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds has been one of my favourite albums since I was a teenager. The music takes a hold on the emotions and control of the imagination from those first powerful notes. It's a trip. Now this stage version, conducted by Jeff Wayne himself, adds a glorious, dramatic visual dimension to a musical version of the sci-fi classic, that already rocked. I was prepared to be sad about the absence of Richard Burton, Phil Lynott, Julie Covington and David Essex, but it still has Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson. The Burton 'talking head' is pretty spooky and adds a certain something. The new kids, Alexis James, Tara Blaise and Russell Watson are excellent replacements for their excellent predecessors. Great performances all round. The Martian tripods look absolutely authentic. The film, the light show (which I think even Pink Floyd could have been proud of), the orchestra, the actors/singers and the audience all generate the most wonderful atmosphere of energy and enthusiasm. I wish I could have been there. Brilliant show!