A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
Named “The Spirit of Man Tour” this production really is spectacular. Many people are aware of Jeff Wayne’s iconic album from 1978, which is inspired by the 1890s novel by HG Wells. I am pleased that the stage show is not as terrifying as the interactive experience which we tried as a family in London and had to leave as it was just a bit too real for our young son at the time, maybe one day we will go back!
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This show was actually conducted by Jeff Wayne himself, the massive 36 piece ULLAdubULLA string orchestra to his right and a lot of electric guitars with the far more rock music instruments and 8 musicians of the Black Smoke Band to his left. Each of them was a master of their craft and a star in their own right, absolute perfection playing those well known songs.
The narrator is Liam Neeson, brought to us in 3D holographic form, either on a screen in the middle of the stage or on the big side screens. Unusually in this show the narrator, or the Journalist, is a double role as his thoughts were sung live on stage by Charlie Simpson, usually known for Busted and Fightstar. This is perhaps a strange choice as Liam and Charlie are a generation apart age wise but they both have gorgeous voices so it is perfect for the ears, which is the important bit! I am a fan of both of them in their own rights so I was not complaining at all! When he sang Forever Autumn, and orange leaves fluttered over the front of the audience, the emotion really caught me.
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Another recognisable star in the cast is Max George from The Wanted, which funnily enough was the first band I ever reviewed back in 2012 at the old AECC building. He played the haunted Parson Nathaniel, and unusually the Parson’s wife was played by Max’s wife Maisie Smith. They certainly seem to be out of this world match! Enter Shikari’s Rou Reynolds plays The Artilleryman, Nathan James of Inglorious wonderfully sings The Voice of Humanity and Anna-Marie Wayne plays Carrie, the journalist’s fiancée.
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The set is relatively simple, arranged around the various musicians. Much of the action, and the chorus line appear on the screens with the singers coming out as and when they are needed. The stage production side of things is less simple, with a massive Martian fighting ship coming down from the ceiling, squirting fire. In the interval it seemed to be watching the audience through its green bug like eyes and projecting pictures of members of the audience onto the big screen at the back to keep us entertained while everyone had a break.
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There is an air of steampunk on the stage, including Nathan’s fabulous coat, and the massive metal staircase platform that allows singers to come out over the front part of the audience. It is all very impressive, and at some points somewhat overwhelming. With the loudness, and the lights, and the pyrotechnics – overwhelming is maybe the wrong world, awe inspiring is perhaps better.
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The cinematography on the back screen really brings the action to life, whether it is the Martians landing or the red weed creeping across the earth. It is unusual to applaud performers who are not even there but no one objected as everyone was fabulous in their part, whether on screen or on stage. It really was quite an experience unlike any other and the music has been ringing around my head ever since.
Further information: https://www.thewaroftheworlds.com/
Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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