The War of the Worlds

Originally Commissioned by New Diorama Theatre.

Co-produced by Brighton Festival and HOME Manchester. 

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

 

"Rhum and Clay’s super-smart, multi-layered new show, War of the Worlds" - Lyn Gardner

 

Temporarily halted in their tracks by the pandemic, the aliens are back amongst us in 2021...

“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. Now we’ve come to believe everything the internet tells us and 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 2021, 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’ sci-fi 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

 

 

Event Details

Running time: 2hrs incl. interval
Age category: 12+
Potentially sensitive content: scenes of vaping, family argument/shouting, brief references (heard only) to people being killed by aliens, brief references (heard only) to people committing suicide
Warning: Contains some strong language

The Rose has implemented all necessary measures to ensure we are a COVID-19 secure venue and have met the guidelines set out by the government to make your visit safe. Performances of The War of The Worlds are currently on sale with socially distanced seating and will remain socially distanced even after the 19 July lifting of restrictions. 

When booking for this performance you will need to select all seats in a bubble to be able to proceed. If you cannot match your seating requirements please call the box office on 020 8174 0090. For more information about our COVID-19 secure venue click here.

 The Rose is proud to be 'See it Safely' approved.