If you’ve never seen Jeff Wayne‘s star-studded musical adaptation of H.G. Wells‘ The War of The Worlds on stage, then you’re in luck, because for just 48 hours this weekend, you can watch it, for free, on YouTube – just one of several amazing theatre productions that are being streamed as part of the The Shows Must Go On! series to help support British theatre and creatives impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions.
The Shows Must Go On channel brings you show tunes, backstage access and full performances from some of the best loved musicals in history, featuring the best of musical theatre and beyond, from The West End to Broadway.
The London theatrical production of Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds musical is being made free on YouTube for 48 hours starting at 7.00pm UK time, Friday 23rd October 2020. In return you’re asked to make a donation to Acting for Others in the UK (or the NHS Charities COVID19 Appeal), Broadway Cares in the US, or the Actors Benevolent Fund in Australia.
Back 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.
A War of the Worlds New Generation DVD was released in 2012, with new technology and effects plus an all-star cast featuring Liam Neeson, seen in advanced 3D holography, recording, stage and screen star Jason Donovan, Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson, Wet Wet Wet’s Marti Pellow, Jettblack’s Will Stapleton, Wicked’s Kerry Ellis. Plus, the nine-piece Black Smoke Band, the symphonic ULLAdubULLA Strings conducted by Jeff Wayne – and an incredible three-tonne, 35-foot tall Martian Fighting Machine firing real heat ray flames over the audience!
On offer for free is the limited time chance to watch the award-winning arena production that was filmed live at London’s O2 Arena with 23 cameras for spectacular visual coverage.
Given that due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2021 arena tour was postponed and will now tour from March 2022, this streamed event is a welcome opportunity for all fans of Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War of The Worlds to revisit the show and its music – and, hopefully, bring the production to a new audience.
• Check out The Show Must Go On channel and YouTube and subscribe to get reminders of shows on offer
• Donate to these worthwhile arts causes: UK: actingforothers.co.uk – or donate to the NHS Charities COVID19 Appeal | US: broadwaycares.org | Australia: actorsbenevolentfund.org.au
• Buy Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
• Buy Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – New Generation from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
The 2012 performance of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds is in Loving Memory of Michael Falzon, the show’s Artilleryman from Down Under & UK NASA Controller. Please donate to the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse if you can: https://donate.mylifehouse.org.au
Michael Falzon performed as The Artilleryman when Jeff Wayne’s ‘The War of The Worlds’ toured Australia & New Zealand in 2007, and in 2010 – 2012 as the NASA Controller across the UK & Europe. He passed away on 23rd June 2020 after a year-long battle with a rare form of germ cell cancer. Michaels’ family and wife have set up a donation page for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, where Michael was lovingly cared for during his treatment. It is the largest cancer clinical trial centre in New South Wales. Research and trials are carried out by the same clinicians who treat patients, shortening the path between discovery and new treatments. The money raised will fund research, trials and resources for germ cell cancer and other lesser-known cancers.
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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