Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds Alive on Stage! The New Generation (2013) User Reviews

An Iconic Novel Becomes An Iconic Album Becomes An Iconic Stage Show

[Theo Robertson · 9/10 · 16 February 2014]

Jeff Wayne's Musical version of War Of The Worlds released in 1978 is one of the great concept albums mixing progressive rock with symphonic orchestra and vividly remember buying the album on the year of its release with my Christmas money . As I write this at the start of 2014 the album remains the 38th best selling album in British chart history with over 2.5 million sales . In 2012 Wayne decided to update the album . Brave move because there's a danger that you're going to release something so radically different that the original fans are going to hate what you've done . Wayne decided to play it safe and the 2012 version is little different from the original save for the line up where notably Liam Neeson replaces the late Richard Burton . That said the album itself didn't sell very well just like Wayne's musical version of SPARTACUS fro twenty years ago . so the market of a concept album seems confined to the 1970s . This is the stage version of that 1978 concept album

You certainly can't fault Wayne for his ambition . This mixes stage performance with cinema and because you can't expect Liam Neeson to commit himself to a theatre run he appears as a hologram and yet the physical presence of Neeson feels very real and he emits a sense of gravitas on to the audience . The music plays and singers come on stage as HG Wells iconic alien invasion story takes place . This isn't .so much a stage show but more of an experience and undoubtedly a logistical nightmare for everyone involved . Neeson's narrator is required to knock out Jason Donovan's deranged preacher which sounds more difficult than it sounds . Leaves fall on the audience as the show stopping ballad Forever Autumn plays , a Martian fighting machine comes on stage as humanity loses its war against the invaders with the fighting machine firing its heat ray in to the audience . Perhaps the most difficult feat is the ending when a Martian vaporises an unnamed NASA controller live on stage that will have you gasping " How did they do that " ? The audience must have gone home very satisfied and this DVD is a great substitute for those of us who missed the stage show

A word on the film playing in the background . It's done in a cartoonish CGI sort of way which is in no way a criticism . If it resembles anything in look then it resembles Zack Snyder's 300 and at the same time looks very expensive especially when it shows epic crowd scenes and one wonders how expensive this was ? Undoubtedly the most impressive aspect is the Martians themselves who are disturbingly alien and slimy and the stuff of nightmares . I'm sure if Wells himself was alive today he'd give this show his seal of approval

A mesmerizing experience which can only be even more electrifying to view theatrically as it is at home

[The-Last-Prydonian · 9/10 · 15 February 2018]

The New Generation is a 2014 stage adaptation of Jeff Wayne's musical and is a re-imagining of his 1978 concept album, retelling the story of The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells.. Told from the perspective of the unnamed Journalist. Influential as it has been a seminal piece of musical artistry; Jeff Wayne's 1978 concept album for his progressive rock spin on the acclaimed sci-fi novel had also been brought to the big screen in the camp 1953 movie which was a partial throwback. Irish actor, Liam Neeson provides lead narration as the titular Journalist who recounts his experiences in the 19th century; Great Britain when Martians invaded the Earth. Chronicling the ongoing turmoil, and his horrifying experiences as he along with a military Artilleryman whose path he has crossed, journey together so that the Journalist may find his love; Carrie, and his new companion to report to Headquarters. The story was renowned when science-fiction was a rarity in literature (The Time Machine being another of Welles's works) as well as its abrupt and jarring climax.

Back in 1978, the idea of bringing the album to life on stage might have seemed too ambitious and elaborate a production to develop. Holographic technology utilized to bring Irish Actor; Liam Neeson (who replaces the late Richard Burton) to life may not have been quite as advanced in 1978 as it is today. However in 2014 with it having sufficiently progressed in its advancement to be proficient in Wayne's objective, the once seemingly impossible was achieved. Its charismatic lead is joined by fellow new cast members; Marti Pellow, Ricky Wilson, Will Stapleton, Kerry Ellis, and last but unquestionably not least; Jason Donovan. It has arguably been the crowning achievement in its creator's career since its initial inception. Sublimely histrionic in its dramatic rendering; with its stars emoting with camp conviction which befits the fanciful nature of its source material, the story is somewhat relayed to its audience via a cinematic screen displaying pre-filmed footage. Featuring a wide array of extras and digitally enhanced computer imagery recreating Victorian Britain, and giving it an animated quality that reflects its cartoonish aspect to a complimentary effect.

Undoubtedly challenging in execution for Wayne, his production team as well as his talented cast who each talk directly to the Journalist as if actor Neeson is actually there. On occasion, objects are passed between his protagonist and the other supporting players as if he's really present. Clever as it is, it's backed up further by an extraordinary model recreation of the iconic Martian Tripod which looms majestically as an ominous presence, highlighting part of the alien invasion.

With undeniably powerfully robust songs that are performed with a mixture of more traditional orchestration, and electronic synthesizers that reverberate a cosmic sense of eeriness that permeates the musical play's entirety. It's beyond impossible not to be entranced by the magisterial and seeming omnipresence of the Martian threat. Each member of the cast channels a highly charged range of emotions that punctuate the severity of the figuratively pseudo-biblical and apocalyptic world event that is taking place. It's non-more depicted so succinctly than with Jason Donovan's religiously feverous, Parson Nathaniel. A man who along with his devoted wife, Beth portrayed with dutiful love, loyalty, and compassion by Kerry Jane Ellis who is luminescent in the beauty of her physicality as well as her vocal skills. It provides what is arguably the zenith of its dramatic power with Donovan awe-inspiring as the near-crazed Parson, and we palpably feel the full weight of his spiritual hysteria. As the Sung Thoughts of the Journalist, Marti Pellow is a perfect casting choice as, The Narrator in the stage production of Willy Russell's, Blood Brothers. Projecting an ethereal quality that befits a quieter moment after the preceding storm. Will Stapleton himself harmoniously channels the voice of humanity with his electrifying, and super-charged rendition of, Thunderchild. An electrifying song that tells of the battle between the Royal Navy Battleship of the same name. A vessel that engages Martian fighting machines in an almighty battle as they defend the steamer which carries the Journalist, and its other passengers as they make their exodus from London. Last but not least is Ricky Wilson of Kaiser Chief's and, The Voice fame who channeling David Essex plays the Artilleryman with supreme confidence and vigor that is mesmerizing.

Bold, brave, and infinitely audacious, The New Generation ranks as quite possibly the crown jewel in Jeff Wayne's illustrious career for both its technological and theatrical accomplishments. It's a statement I make as someone who had never really been a fan of the original concept album before and given it any of the attention it richly deserves. The production should have as lengthy a stage run as one would hope for, and undoubtedly must make for an even more electrifying experience to witness life as it was for me in my own home.

Fantastic show

[emiliepender · 9/10 · 29 December 2021]

Amazing I loved it!! So much to keep you entertained not to mention great music! Highly recommend a watch if you like Sci-fi or just a good show for that matter.

Someone rated this 2?

[swadwolf1 · 10/10 · 19 May 2022]

Obviously some people don't appreciate just how great this is absolutely brilliant with great performances from all involved. I was a fan of the original with Richard burton,Phil lynott and co but this version is great too Liam neeson always great Ricky Wilson did a great job too that guys seriously talented the guy who rated this 2 you have no idea about decent productions and boring? No idea what you saw it certainly wasn't this.

The original album is a perfect classic. However, the New Generation tour is far better to watch than the 2006 recording of the original tour, even if the music is inferior

[mickman91-1 · 9/10 · 16 March 2022]

Jeff Wayne's original album is without a doubt 10/10 perfect timeless classic. It was a totally original concept album featuring legendary narration by Richard Burton and wonderful electronic music while also telling a faithful and enjoyable adaptation of H G Wells story. Many years after its first release, and by which time it was a classic album in many households, Jeff Wayne created a live tour to perform his work live to the masses. The 2006 recording of the original tour was a lot of fun too and brought to life the classic sounds which for many years were 2-dimensional only. The singers were excellent and the musical performers excellent. There is a video that runs behind the performers which helps visually tell the story. This helped bring the actual heart of the story to life in a way that always seemed secondary to the music when one is listening to an album. So watching the live tour is another way to experience and to bring to life the wonderful classic piece of musical work.

However, in 2012 Jeff Wayne rerecorded the album under the title of War of the Worlds - The New Generation. The music is the same but rerecorded with different arrangements and instrumentation. This album was largely criticised by fans because nothing was broken so why did he decide to fix it? He only rendered it worse? Well I thought so too, I never listen to the New Generation album as it is inferior to the original. However, after watching the 2013 blu ray recording of the New Generation live tour I now understand why jeff felt he needed to redo it. It is because it was about reworking the live show to include more of the H G Wells narrative so as to make the liver performance more impactful to the audience, particularly in regards to conveying the story. And I have to say that watching the 2013 recording of the New Generation live tour was much more engaging than watching this 2006 recording of the original tour. The staging is better with better visuals and effects and narration and the Wells story comes through in a more complete way. And this in turns heightens the experience of the music that accompanies it. So in the end, while the original album is by far the superior to listen to, the 2013 live recording is by far the better one to watch. It is just a shame that in the 2013 recording you have the inferior musical arrangements as accompaniments and some rather dreadful vocals by Marti Pellow.

Abruptly, the sound ceased . . .

[adamjohns-42575 · 8/10 · 11 January 2022]

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds: The New Generation (2013)-

I expected this to be more of a stage show and less of a concert, but didn't mind at all as the music always blows me away. 'Forever Autumn' for instance, is a beautiful song that I have listened to hundreds of times.

There really is no denying what a fantastic composition Jeff Wayne has created here. I don't know any of Jeff's other works, although I can't find many, but if they're any thing like this, they must be superb. I have actually enjoyed this beautiful collections of sounds since I was very young and still play the CD frequently and at high volume. Some of the moments, both musically and narratively, are really quite emotive and can easily take me back in time to when I heard them first.

Therefore I could not fail to enjoy this rendition, despite a few elements that were a bit distracting.

Firstly, there was a moment where I thought that Liam Neeson was going to threaten to "Hunt them down, find them and kill them". He seemed a bit miscast and I couldn't understand why he was only a hologram? It didn't add anything to the experience for me and I felt it looked as if he just couldn't commit to all of the tour dates, in which case, I would have chosen someone who would not only be available, but who could also sing the part of the journalist. I understand that Richard Burton didn't sing on the original, but I think that there are enough actors out there now that can also sing, that it would make more sense in the execution of this fantastic tale.

I say this, because I also wouldn't have chosen Marti Pellow to perform the journalists singing. Sadly his voice just isn't as strong as it used to be.

I wasn't sure about Ricky Wilson either? He just didn't seem to fit for me, although his song was at least better.

What did surprise me was Jason Donovan's performance. Where I haven't always been overly impressed with him, especially as a singer, I thought that he was excellent as Nathaniel. Kerry Ellis also had a great vocal too.

It's slightly different to my recollection of the story. The Martians showed themselves too soon I think in this one, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment.

I've also never found it easy to picture the story as set in the Victorian era and instead usually think of it as early to mid 20th century. This may be because of the film version with Gene Barry (1953) or where my thoughts went upon my first listening, but again it didn't diminish the pleasure.

It's evident from its success and continued replication on film, TV, theatre and Radio, that the story is worthwhile, but Jeff's music really compliments it brilliantly.

Dismal

[arfdawg-1 · 2/10 · 26 April 2020]

The music is HORRIBLE

And does Liam Neeson really need the money? It's absurdly boring.