Wayne's world of alien conflict: VIDEO

SO we may not yet - or knowingly - have been invaded by beings from another planet but Jeff Wayne says there are strong parallels in the story that has provided him with a generous living for 29 years.

A generation since his ambitious and ground-breaking musical interpretation made it onto record and a lifetime since the original story was published and first broadcast by Orson Welles to terrified radio listeners, the Herfordshire-based American says the tale has assumed fresh significance.

"HG Wells' story was and remains a fairly timeless one," recalls Wayne.

"Some of the different layers the book offers, for it is not a simple shoot them up and knock them down story, some of the themes within it resonate today, in terms of nation battles nation, one faith does battle with another, these things are in War Of The Worlds; mankind's survival against a superior force."

What do you think? Post your comments below.

Wayne composed and scored the album in 1978, re-released this summer along with a DVD of the show, calling on a celebrity cast that included David Essex, Thin Lizzy singer Phil Lynott, Julie Covington and Manfred Mann's Chris Thompson, who remains part of the current tour, as does Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues.

Running through the whole thing was acting legend Richard Burton's compelling narration as the journalist. His presence prevails thanks to clever technology which previously saw Burton's animated face appear on a huge head suspended above the stage.

Tickets cost 39.50 (may be subject to booking fee).

WotW is on its third tour, the second in the UK which brings it to Sheffield Arena on December 14.

It has just been to Australia and New Zealand where Jeff found better than anticipated success.

"Some of the gear had to go by boat six weeks ahead of the rest of the cast and crew," says the producer, who got to try out a new halogram-style version of Burton.

"Where Burton was a talking head before and eyelids and facial expressions moved, this has been replaced by technology used for the first time in live entertainment -motion capture footage from when he was 31 projected as a hologram, 11ft high, 8ft wide.

We didn't even know if it would work until in Perth it arrived on a hard disc."

They also took the head just in case.

More entertainment news.

More music.

Gig guide

Showbiz.

Main news index.