Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds Live on Stage!
Release June 27 2007
After some delays in finalising the logistical movements of the enormous production that will be brought to NZ for this
epic event Chugg Entertainment in association with Classic Hits, Radio Hauraki and Juice TV confirmed today an on sale
date for tickets.
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds, Live on Stage! is set to transform The Vector Arena Friday
September 28. Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster Monday 9 July.
This staged musical and multimedia production of the classic HG Wells 1898 science fiction story is indeed an
once-in-a-lifetime epic extravaganza, nothing like this having hit these shores ever before.
After selling out arenas in the UK in 2006, playing to 100,000 people across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, New
Zealanders will now have the opportunity to witness one of the best-selling recordings of all time, Jeff Wayne’s Musical
Version of The War of The Worlds, live in a thrilling theatrical and multimedia spectacle, with a brilliant cast,
including, 23 years after his death, one of the world’s greatest actors, Richard Burton, at the helm “in sight and
sound”as George Herbert, The Journalist.
This acclaimed musical event will feature Jeff Wayne conducting the 10-member Black Smoke Band, plus a 40-piece String
Orchestra.
The stellar cast, from England, includes “Moody Blues” Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson of “Manfred Mann”, both
re-creating their roles from the original album and the recent sell-out UK tour. They will be joined on-stage by
Australia’s three-time MTV Best Male Artist of The Year Shannon Noll, plus the wonderful talents of Rachael Beck and
Michael Falzon.
Jeff Wayne's musical adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic novel The War Of The Worlds was a landmark conceptual recording.
The cost to record the album was so high that the artist took a large part of the financial risk to ensure its release.
The quest for an appropriate literary work had begun in 1974. Musicians began the recording process in May 1976 and the
album was finally released June 1978. Jeff Wayne’s 95 minute musical interpretation exceeded any aspiration to release a
memorable body of work. Following behind the initial release two versions were released in Spain – one featuring Anthony
Quinn – and a German version featuring Curd Jurgens as the Journalist. To date the album has sold approximately 15
million records around the world and has been adapted into several more foreign language versions. Significantly, it
remains today one of the consistently best selling albums in the entire Sony/BMG catalogue. New Zealand leading the
world in its appreciation of this amazing body of work with sales now over 14 time’s platinum.
Set in HG Wells Victorian England, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds brilliantly embodies the tale
of Martians invading Earth and their terrifying trail of destruction. It launched what was to become a plethora of
works, ranging from video games through to a feature length film, developed from HG Wells’s story.
Now to complete this first 30 year cycle Pink Floyd’s legendary set designer, Jonathan Park, brings the Martian invasion
to life ON STAGE transporting the audience into our alien conquered world. Included in the massive production are
ground-breaking special effects with a 30 foot Martian Fighting Machine firing Heat Rays at the audience, 100 foot wide
screens showing cutting-edge CGI-animation and especially created filmed sequences.
This is truly a unique, stunning visual and aural spectacle. New Zealand could not ask for more as its first arena
spectacular.
Book at Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.nz ph. (09) 970 9700 from Mon 9 July
VECTOR ARENA FRI 28 SEPTEMBER
www.thewaroftheworlds.com.au www.liveinconcert.co.nz
ENDS