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SHOULD BE QUITE A SHOW: Russell in action
SHOULD BE QUITE A SHOW: Russell in action
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Russell Watson goes to War

Emma Unsworth
21/ 4/2006

IS it a bird? Is it a foghorn? No, it's Russell Watson playing Parson Nathaniel in the first live production of the musical War Of The Worlds! Run for the hills! Or maybe don't, because when all's said and done - this looks like it might be fun.

Inspired almost 30 years ago to adapt HG Wells' classic sci-fi story, composer Jeff Wayne will be conducting the 10-piece Black Smoke Band and the 48-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings.

Meanwhile a starry cast of singers and actors will play out the cult 'rock opera'.

Alongside Britain's most successful tenor Watson, Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward will be reprising his role as The Sung Thoughts Of The Journalist, including the two international hit singles, Forever Autumn (a personal guilty pleasure), and The Eve Of The War. Chris Thompson will be recreating his role as The Voice Of Humanity, while Alexis James is to play The Artilleryman, a part originally sung by David - swoon - Essex.

The show also introduces Irish hot property Tara Blaise as the Parson's Wife and Anna-Marie Wayne as The Journalist's Fiancee, meaning a veritable invasion of Waynes; three generations in fact: Jeff, Anna-Marie and Jerry, Jeff's father, who performs all the roles on the Epilogue (Part 2) (NASA) sequence.

Richard Burton

The highlight, however, has to be the original recording of Richard Burton's narration synchronised with a huge 3-D head suspended over the stage. Think about that. A huge 3-D Richard Burton head. It's the stuff of nightmares. It's absolutely brilliant.

And who better to bring the Martian attack to life than Pink Floyd's legendary set designer Jonathan Park, with his talent for trippy fantasy-scapes? Expect CGI animation (kaboom!), lasers (ping!), and pyrotechnics (sizzle) as life as we know it is reduced to smoking ruins. Can humanity prevail?

With Tom Cruise off planning placenta recipes, nothing is certain...

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds is at the M.E.N. Arena on Sunday, April 23. 7.30pm. '37.50. To book call 0870 060 1768 or click here to book online.
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Most recent 2 of 4 user comments

   All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved every minute of the show it was amazing to see the soundtrack I know and love transformed on stage. The Artillery Man was brilliant as was Justin Hayward, infact the whole thing was totally amazing. Well done to all involved, cant wait to get the DVD.
Val Brierley, Manchester
24/04/2006 at 20:45

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   War of the Worlds - wow, what a show. The orchestra were literally not of this world. Amazing to hear the soundtrack fill the vast venue of the MEN. The hairs were up on my arms as the first notes filled the Arena. Wish Jeff had spoken though - even just to introduce his score or thank his mass of fans. Justin was fantastic and to hear him singing one of the songs on my Top 5 Best Ever was incredible. One point though and please don't shoot me down as it is just a subjective view - wasn't Russell Watson hamming it up just a touch too much - stick to singing Mr W!!!!!
Teaks, Glossop
24/04/2006 at 14:38

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