A keen War of the Worlds fan accompanied me to the Dominion Theatre earlier this week to see this latest production. He was overwhelmed with how true to the original music score it was and utterly delighted that Jeff Wayne was actually on stage conducting.
From the outset, the orchestra on stage set the scene – that powerful and instantly recognisable music. The musicians spent the evening being shifted back and forth on the stage to make way for the players, the dancers, the house and bridge structures, the dry ice, the dancing red vines, the screens that constantly go up and down for the narrator (Liam Neeson) and film clips and even the plodding steam-spewing Martian machines. The impressive pyrotechnics played a constant and important role. And Jeff Wayne was tireless in his energetic conducting.
Of course the music is the main attraction. From the early stages where it conveys the awe and hope at the alien visitors, to the fear and panic as the invasion proceeds unabated and even the tender love song “Forever Autumn” which was sometimes sung with wistful dancers and leaves fluttering from the heights.
The audience was spell-bound as the action on the stage never stopped. The noise, explosions and death-ray noises were a fine soundtrack for the panicking refugees on stage and the images of famous London landmarks being attacked by the invaders. Even during the interval there were occasional flashes of that menacing green light and those eerie alien noises. My only gripe that whilst the screen versions of the locust-like aliens were terrifying, the only on-stage appearance of one was a little Dr Who-like.
David Essex was amongst the singers – that unmistakeable voice. Unfortunately when I saw it, Daniel Bedingfield was unwell but his substitute did a fine job. Jimmy Nail, Michael Praed, Heidi Range and Madalena Alberto completed the line-up. And well done too to the small army of kids who performed beautifully.
Some of the songs of this rock opera – heard first all those decades ago - are ingrained in my memory forever. It was an action-packed, multi-media spectacle which is bound to entrance a whole new generation even if they weren’t around when it was originally released.
