Rhum and Clay Theatre Company presents

The War of the Worlds

Written with Isley Lynn

“No-one would have believed in the early years of the twentieth century that this world was being watched…”

But we did believe.

We believed that Martians landed in New Jersey. We believed a water tower was an alien war machine. We believed a man walked on the moon. We believe everything the internet tells us and now the end of the world is being broadcast live…

There is nothing more alluring than a good story. When Orson Welles adapted The War of the Worlds, he wanted to create a thrilling radio drama that would ‘feel’ real. In fact, it felt so real that it caused hysteria amongst a public just getting used to the outside world invading their living rooms via the radio. Fast forward to 2016, and the internet has replaced the radio as the medium through which we make sense of the world. We remain just as susceptible …

Inspired by H.G. Wells’ novel and Orson Welles’ classic radio play, this legendary science fiction thriller is playfully reimagined for our era of Fake News and ‘alternative facts’.

“a whirling multi-rolling ensemble… just juicy”  WhatsOnStage

“deft and ingenious” The Guardian

“a smart, engagingly layered show” The Stage

“a dynamic and thought-provoking show, full of unexpected energy and intelligent stagecraft” Broadway World

Download The War of the Worlds cast and credits (including biographies) here.

Credits: 

Originally Commissioned By New Diorama Theatre.

Co-produced by Brighton Festival, HOME Manchester

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England

Arts Council England Logo

Supported By China Plate, Corn Exchange Newbury, The New Wolsey Theatre and Redbridge Drama Centre.

Duration:
2 hours

Running Time: 2 hours (inc. 20min interval)

Age Advice: 12+

Please note: this performance contains
– some strong language
– bright flashing lights
– loud noises
– haze
– use of vape e-cigarettes

This show will be available with a mixture of socially distanced and full capacity performances.

For socially distanced performances, you can select an area of the theatre, and you will be allocated the best available seats, automatically leaving a space on either side of your booking.

Socially distanced performances will take place on:

  • Wed 22 Sept
  • Fri 24 Sept
  • Sat 24 Sept matinee
  • Mon 27 Sept
  • Wed 29 Sept matinee and evening
  • Fri 1 Oct
  • Sat 2 Oct matinee

All other performances will be seated at full capacity with no social distancing.

  • £20 full / concessions available

Onsale Dates:
HOME Friends – 12pm Fri 30 Jul
HOME Members – 12pm Mon 2 Aug
General Sale – 12pm Tue 3 Aug

  • Audio Described performance – Wed 29 Sept
  • British Sign Language Interpreted performance – Thur 30 Sept
  • Caption subtitled performance – Fri 1 Oct

Audio Description provided by Anne Hornsby from Mind’s Eye Description

BSL Interpretation provided by Karl Llorca of Alexander Communications

Captioning provided by Claire McIntyre