Presented by Supa Productions Inc
Directed by Ron Dowd
ANU Arts Centre until 27 October 2012
Review by Len Power
‘Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds’ was a
1978 concept album by Jeff Wayne, retelling the story of ‘The War of the Worlds’ by H. G. Wells.
With its rock and string
orchestra, small cast of singers and using narration to carry the story, the
two-disc album remains a bestseller, having sold millions of copies around the
world. As of 2009, it was the 38th best-selling
album of all time in the UK.
If you’re familiar with the album, you’re not going to
expect a formula musical when you attend Supa Productions’ courageous staging
at the ANU Arts Centre. The first thing
you’ll notice is that the stage is filled with musicians – rock instruments on
one side, classical instruments on the other.
Above your head is a complex set of lighting gantries specially
installed for the show. Suspended above
and behind the musicians is a massive projection screen which becomes a major
player throughout the show. The acting
area is a small strip of stage very close to the audience.
Sharon Tree, the musical director, and her musicians have
the massive task of conducting and playing without a break in the show except
at interval. The sound is well balanced
across the rock and classical instruments with the right degree of volume
necessary for this kind of music. You
needn’t worry that it might be too loud for you.
Joseph McGrail-Bateup does an excellent job as the Narrator,
capturing the turn-of-the century style of speech and injecting the right
amount of drama and urgency into his performance. The small cast of singer/actors have been
well chosen from the cream of Canberra talent.
All five lead singers meet the challenges of the score effortlessly and
their acting abilities make us care for the characters they are playing. Excellent support is provided by three backup
vocalists.
Chris Neal has excelled himself with the spectacular lighting
design for the show. James McPherson’s
sound design complements the light show and has some amazing directional
effects, too. Suzan Cooper’s period
costumes were just right and it was good to see the band and orchestra dressed
to suit the show.
Bringing this complex technical production together is Ron
Dowd, the director. He’s no stranger to
this kind of production, having previously given us ‘The Who’s “Tommy”’ and
‘Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”’. “The War Of The
Worlds’ is his crowning achievement.
Not really a musical and not really a rock concert, ‘The War
Of The Worlds’ has elements of both but comes together as a unique and
entertaining show. Supa Productions
deserves to have a hit with this one.
Originally broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 'Dress Circle' Sunday 14 October 2012
