Liam Neeson To Star In New Tour Of Jeff Wayne's WAR OF THE WORLDS

Liam Neeson will be taking the role of the Spoken Thoughts of the Journalist in the new UK tour of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds.

He will be appearing in 3D holographic format - replacing the hologram image of the late Richard Burton, the original narrator on the concept album and recent tours.

'The New Generation' of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds has launched in conjunction with Sony Music, Live Nation and SJM Concerts, featuring a new interpretation of the classic recording followed by a major international arena tour commencing November 2012.

"After long consideration," says Wayne, "I concluded that for future productions, some of HG Wells' storylines and characters should be re-explored. It would also give me the chance to re-interpret my compositions with the production techniques of today, exciting from a musician's point of view.

"But perhaps the greatest opportunity was revisiting the main character of George Herbert, The Journalist and the development of the love story between George and his fiancée Carrie (played by Anna-Marie Wayne). While it may have been the greatest opportunity, it was also the hardest decision to make because I knew that with a re-developed storyline, a new Journalist would need to be sought as Richard Burton's original performance, was finite.

"And whoever that person might turn out to be, he would have to be of no less stature and quality of voice than that of Richard - an incredibly tough act to follow.

But once again I have been fortunate and have attracted Liam Neeson to these New Generation productions. He has, so-to-speak, been handed the 'baton' from Richard Burton, and I believe audiences and listeners alike will find Liam's interpretation no less compelling."

By good fortune, Liam is a huge fan of the original album, having purchased it when it was first released in 1978. And ironically, as the 'new kid on the block', he acted in a mini TV series on what turned out to be one of Richard Burton's last roles before his untimely passing.

 

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