Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of War of The Worlds, Resorts World Arena, Birmingham - review

The astoundingly dynamic live performance of the masterpiece, based on the original 1897 novel by HG Wells, took Resorts World Arena by storm, bringing the musical feat into the 21st century and beyond.

The electrifying performance was a truly magnificent portrayal of a landmark album in a show which possesses the very best aspects of live rock and classical, musical theatre, and modern day stage technology.

With a huge three-tonne mechanical figure firing flames, an excellent light show, thrilling surround sound, and a 100ft-wide screen showing images in CGI, the fully immersive, exhilarating show felt futuristic, pulling in the crowds at every twist and turn.

Tens of thousands of fans looked on in awe as the star-studded cast performed the spectacular, and the nine-man Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings were led by the legendary Jeff Wayne.

And every member of his finely-selected team absolutely did him proud, with actor and singer Jason Donovan playing the part of Parson Nathaniel, West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher as his wife Beth, Aussie actor Adam Garcia making his debut as The Artilleryman, singer/songwriter Newton Faulkner performing The Sung Thoughts Of The Journalist, rock frontman Nathan James as The Voice Of Humanity, and Jeff Wayne’s daughter Anna-Marie Wayne as The Journalist’s Fiancee, Carrie.

Liam Neeson played the part of narrator The Journalist, shown at times as a hologram on the stage with which the live cast interacted.

Jason Donovan took on his role excellently, boasting great acting skills and a wonderful tone when he sang, while Carrie Hope Fletcher stunned with wonderful vocal strength and range.

Newton Faulkner and Anna-Marie Wayne played their parts well too, though most impressive of all the vocalists was surely Inglorious singer Nathan James who astounded with his vocal power and passionate performance.

Adam Garcia was brilliant too, both as an impressive, lively actor and as a superb singer.

The show itself was an absolutely overwhelming feast for the senses, with leaves falling on the crowd during Forever Autumn, fire, pyrotechnics and smoke filling the stage at various intervals, a huge metal staircase held by chains lowered above the crowd on which Adam Garcia performed, and numerous members of the cast running through the audience.

The band too was phenomenal, boasting tremendous skill throughout, with impressive guitar solos and awesome bass. Those performing in the string section were superb too, with absolute faultless precision and power from start to end.

A must-see for all generations, with music that has boldly stood the test of time as a modern day classic, and presentation which far outdoes any other live show I’ve seen in theatre or live concerts alike. Words can scarcely do it justice.

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one… But still they come.