War of the Worlds unveils first cast for Liverpool spectacular

Strictly’s Kevin Clifton and Steps’ Claire Richards will appear in the postponed tour of Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds which comes to Liverpool next spring.

Clifton will play the Artilleryman in the arena spectacular while Richards will take on the role of Beth, the Parson’s Wife.

The show comes to the M&S Bank Arena on April 6, 2022. Tickets are £56.50 to £82.85.

Richards said: "I’m so thrilled to be joining the cast. To be a part of such an iconic production is so exciting, and I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the road next year.”

Jeff Wayne’s musical version of H G Wells’ sci-fi classic started life as a concept album and rock opera in 1978. The recording featured Justin Heyward as the Journalist, David Essex as the Artilleryman, Julie Covington as Beth, Phil Lynott as Parson Nathaniel and Richard Burton as the narrator.

The first live tour took place in 2006 and the production has been entertaining audiences ever since.

This 15th anniversary version was due to come to Liverpool in April 2021 until the Coronavirus pandemic saw venues closed.

The 2022 staging is being dubbed the 'life begins again' tour and features Wayne conducting the Black Smoke Band and symphonic ULLAdubULLA strings, the show's famous 35ft tall Martian fighting machine firing flame heat rays, ground-breaking levitation effects, three panoramic screens and pyrotechnics.

Liam Neeson will return in hologram in the role originally played by Burton, with further casting to be announced.

Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – Alive on Stage is at the M&S Bank Arena on April 6, 2022. Tickets HERE