A fresh take on the classic sci-fi story, The War of The Worlds by National Youth Theatre at Wilton’s Music Hall is a powerful show.
It draws parallels between the historical events of 1938 and our recent history. Set in two timelines, it tells a story bigger than any individual character. The production challenges us to apply critical thinking to everything we see and hear on stage.
The core of this version of The War of The Worlds, written by Isley Lynn, is not H.G. Wells’ novel but rather Orson Welles’ radio adaptation. When aired in 1938 in the USA, many listeners mistook it for an actual news broadcast. This led to the spread of mass hysteria and reckless actions in the face of the fake alien invasion.
That memorable case becomes a background for the modern part of the story. As fake news dominates the news agenda, significant decisions—from the Brexit vote to Trump’s 2016 election—are directly influenced by the media. Despite the gravity of the topic, the show takes a soft approach to storytelling, leaving plenty of space for humour and emotional connection between the audience and the characters.
While most cast members portray numerous characters, the core cast has time to charm the audience. Talitha Cristina as Meena, Ruari Spooner as Jonathan, and a quartet of Orsons—portrayed by Cathy Sole, Laura Masters, David Olaniregun, and Emily Casey—brilliantly play their parts. All their characters feel real and relatable, even if their stories are quite different from ours.
The staging for The War of The Worlds is beautiful. The minimal setup, reminiscent of a recording studio—both for Orson’s radio show in 1938 and Meena’s podcast in 2016—easily transforms into different locations with projections and lighting effects.
The music and sound design help to immerse us in different scenes. Ironic yet cautionary, this play about media power and our desire to believe incredible stories, as long as they are presented in the right way, is a must-see. Modern, sharp and moving, The War of The Worlds is a perfect show for all.
The War of the Worlds is at Wilton’s Music Hall until 26th October
