The War of the Worlds returns to Echo Arena

Jeff Wayne is celebrating the 40th album of his famous The War of the Worlds album by bringing the musical version back to the stage – including a date in Liverpool.

And an all-star cast has been announced for the December 5 arena spectacular, based on HG Wells’ classic dystopian tale and featuring a 35ft Martian fighting machine, firing real fire.

Jason Donovan returns to the role of Parson Nathaniel while Adam Garcia makes his debut as the Artilleryman, and singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner will play the Sung Thoughts of the Journalist.

Carrie Hope Fletcher is the Parson's wife.

It also features Liam Neeson in 3-D ‘holography’ in the role originally played by the late Richard Burton.

The War of the Worlds double album was originally released by CBS Records in 1978. Since then it has sold 15 million records, reached the number one spot in 11 countries, and spent more than 330 weeks in the UK Album Charts (to date) plus achieving two International hit singles - Forever Autumn and The Eve of The War.

The War of The Worlds has also won two prestigious UK Ivor Novello Awards, the US Best Recording in Science Fiction and Fantasy (the judges included Alfred Hitchcock, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg), as well as Jeff Wayne himself winning for Classic Rock's Showman of The Year Award.

Wayne, who will conduct the live orchestra on stage, says: “In June 1978 my original double album was released. I had no idea if it would vanish as quickly as one can say…ULLAdubULLA!

“But here I am today, soon to be celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout 2018, culminating in what I believe will be the most exciting arena tour we’ve ever performed.”

Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds is at Echo Arena Liverpool on December 5 2018. Tickets from the website HERE