The War of the Worlds by H G Wells, in a new adaptation by Laura Lindow
Northern Stage & tour
Production photos by Topher McGrillis
About
In the unfathomable darkness of empty space, an invisible missile starts its journey to Earth from Mars.
And another. And another. And another...
Ten missiles fired at the unsuspecting Earth and rushing through the empty gulf of space. Ten missiles carrying an invading force of Martians, their intellects vast, cool and unsympathetic. Hour by hour, day by day, closer and closer the Martians come, ready for war and the massacre of mankind.
This new production of H G Wells' 1898 novel, THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, charts the fortunes of a band of survivors as they become refugees in their own country, forced to flee from an unknown and unprovoked enemy, and battle against the devastation and destruction of their planet. Laura Lindow's vivid and dynamic adaptation relocates the iconic story of Martian invasion to the North East of England, in an inventive re-telling of this sci-fi classic.
The production ran at Northern Stage in January / February 2018, before touring the North East. It returns to Northern Stage in Autumn 2018.
For more information and to book tickets, please visit the Northern Stage website here.
Creative Team
Director: Elayce Ismail
Writer: Laura Lindow
Set Designer: James Pickering
Costume Designer: Jay Nash
Lighting Designer: Richard Flood
Sound Designer: Mariam Rezaei
Cast
Jack Lloyd, Luke Maddison, Charlotte Ryder, Lauren Waine
Selected Reviews
***** What an absolute blast! Terrific performances, an exciting script, and a wonderfully eerie soundtrack characterise a production in which all the elements seem precision engineered. (Elayce Ismail's) production is a lesson in how you can fire the imagination if you have assembled the right ingredients.
Newcastle Journal (Chronicle Live)
**** A thrilling parable of complacency that allows a brilliant cast to shine... Elayce Ismail's tightly drilled ensemble production divides the story equally between its four actors. Sharp, punchy and focused... It adds up to a witty, taut and urgent distillation of a radical book.
The Guardian
**** Thrilling and vivid... a brilliant piece of ensemble storytelling. Elayce Ismail's cool-headed direction provides clarity, as well as moments of theatrical ingenuity.
The Stage
**** This is stripped down sci-fi at its best... a cracking job of storytelling.
North East Theatre Guide
Under the meticulous and imaginative direction of Elayce Ismail this very young cast both narrate and act out the story... and they do it fluently and with seeming ease, which speaks highly of their talent and the director's work with them.
British Theatre Guide