War of the Worlds
Civic Playhouse, Newcastle
Presented by Hunter Drama
So terrifying in its accounts of invading Martians wielding deadly heat-rays that it is remembered like no other radio programme.
By Howard E. Koch
Based on the novel by H.G. Wells
Directed by James Chapman
War of the Worlds is a radio play written by H.G. Wells and was performed by Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre on the Air in 1938. The radio play is an adaptation of H.G. Wells' science fiction novel of the same name, which tells the story of a Martian invasion of Earth. The radio play was performed in the form of a news bulletin, with actors playing the parts of news reporters, eyewitnesses and experts, giving the impression of a real-life invasion.
The radio play begins with the narrator, who is a radio news reporter, discussing the recent discovery of strange explosions on the planet Mars. The radio reporter then goes on to describe how the Martians, who are advanced beings, have landed in New Jersey and began to invade the Earth with their advanced technology. The radio play is filled with sound effects that created a sense of panic and chaos, including the sound of the Martian's ships, explosions, and the screams of people running away.
The radio play created a sensation in the United States and around the world, with many listeners believing that the events being described were real. The War of the Worlds radio play is considered one of the most famous and controversial radio broadcasts in history. It's a powerful example of how radio can create a sense of realism and immediacy, and how it can be used to create suspense and panic. The War of the Worlds radio play is a classic of science fiction and radio drama that continues to be remembered and studied to this day.
Now, 85 years later, Hunter Drama's senior drama students will present a faithful recreation of the world's most famous radio event. Directed by James Chapman (She Kills Monsters).
Based on the novel by H.G. Wells
Directed by James Chapman
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