War of the Worlds

Booked. Love the album, have the two DVDs, going with an open mind ...

This is a very strange cast!!!

I tried listening to it recently. it's so dated. I used to love it as a kid

This casting really is laughable, and hasn't it just been on tour?

I saw this when it was touring back in November 2014 when the cast consisted of Jason Donovan (Parson Nathaniel), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Beth), Brian McFadden (Journalist) and Shayne Ward (Artilleryman) and was pleasantly surprised. I went with an open mind, having only heard some of the songs from the album, and very much enjoyed it. However, the show relies heavily on video (think Billy Elliot at the beginning of ""The Stars Look Down" but all the way through) to tell the story throughout so I can understand why some people feel there isn't enough action on stage to keep them entertained. It definitely struck me more of a staged concert of War of the Worlds as opposed to a musical in many ways. You can't beat hearing the music with a live orchestra though!

First preview cancelled.

I would have thought it's the same tech they've used in the past, more likely someone can't remember their lines/lyrics or is just plain useless. Ah well, I'm going to a free screening of Nuts In May at the BFI instead now, probably be a better night out.

You "cannot understand"? Blimey. Perhaps the new cast aren't ready?

I hear Jimmy Naills Crocodile Shoes got stuck in the loading bay

As this is a limited run for only 12 weeks (booking until the end of April) and Bodyguard going into the theatre in July and as it is a Bill Kenwright production I find it hard to believe it is a "completely new production".

Wow, this was one of my least favourite things I've ever seen. I've never seen it before, so don't know what was the specific production and what was the show in general. But, the first act in particular seemed to consist of a very impressive, but far too loud orchestra, a Liam Neeson projected onto various screens speaking in his usual incoherent mumbling (made worse by the very loud orchestra), a bunch of see through pieces of fabric flying up and down for seemingly no reason, the cast and ensemble walking across the stage and then deciding they'd gone the wrong way and walking back, lots of overreacting to fire, some weird sequence of the ensemble climbing over a chair in slow motion, the mics were all over the place, certainly at the back of the stalls the dialogue was inaudible...

The cast... Why hire Q-list celebrities, when they can't even sing or act?! David Essex got quite a big response, but the rest of them were 'ooo wasn't that that girl who used to be in that girl band, Girls A... No. Misteeq? No oh, the Sugababes.' Daniel Beddingfield's acting consisted of shouting every third word, he also does this very bizarre flasetto A LOT which needs to be seen to be believed. David Essex cannot sing even remotely, but got the second biggest cheer of the night, after Jeff Wayne. Michael Praed and Madelena just looked lost the entire time as well.

The orchestra was very impressive and I cannot fault them and hopefully most of my qualms are down to it being the first preview but blimey. It just wasn't my thing, the story was ridiculous, the music repetitive but still forgettable, the lights were bloody annoying and blinding as well. And if you think you get a break during the interval think again because they blare out more sci-fi noises throughout the auditorium. There were a fair few escapers during the interval and the gentleman next to me couldn't even wait until then.

Best part is the orchestra - otherwise, one of my worst theatre experiences ever. 

Couple next to me left within 15 minutes, at the interval half my row emptied out. Looking around the theatre it seems that many others chose to escape too - which must have been disheartening for the cast to see, since most of the auditorium is lit up by blinding light effects for most of the show. 

Firstly, there were major sound issues insofar as you could hardly hear Liam Neeson's narration and I would say some of the singers were practically inaudible. The orchestra sounds gorgeous but was far, far too loud and overpowering.

Next as the poster above me mentioned, some frankly bizarre choreography and massively over-cast production overall. First act basically consists of cast members running on and off stage with the odd over-reaction to a flame effect. 

The set was incredibly cheap. Tripod looks as though it was made of straws and papier mâché while Neeson is projected onto random bits of tatty fabric that sporadically descend every now and again. Blurry projections with naff CGI too. 

Daniel Bedingfield an utter joke - he can't act, so why is he in theatre? His repeated attempts at falsetto really do have to be heard to be believed. 

Massive blooper when huge Tripod descended from rafters and awkwardly stood at the side of the stage for half of act 2. 

Also, as mentioned, watch out for the garish strobe lights which genuinely hurt your eyes...

It was frankly awful. I'd forgive it for being first preview except problems seem far more fundamental.

Spend your money on something else.