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Review: The War of the Worlds, Wilton's Music Hall - spirited whirlwind of a play that packs a lot in

NYT REP Company members performing The War of the Worlds (credit Johan Persson)).jpg
NYT REP Company, The War of the Worlds, Wilton's Music Hall. Photo: Johan Persson

On 30 October 1938, the broadcast of Orson Wells' radio play version of H G Wells's sci-fi novel The War of the Worlds caused panic. Its realistic news programme style led some to believe a real alien invasion was happening.

In this National Youth Theatre production, created by Rhum + Clay and written with Isley Lynn, people's reaction to the radio play becomes the topic of a podcast by fledgling British podcast journalist Meena (Talitha Christina).

She comes across the story of a New Jersey family who apparently took fright and left their daughter at home to fend for herself. With the 2016 election campaign in full flow, Meena travels to the US to try and find the truth but unearths a bigger story.

The play is injected with snippets of stylised movement that add a quirky edge to the narrative. It mixes the tone and style of 1930s radio drama with a more contemporary feel, which cements the play's themes.

NYT REP Company members performing The War of the Worlds credit Johan Persson
Ruari Spooner and Talitha Christina in War of the Worlds, Wilton's Music Hall. Photo Johan Persson

It draws parallels between the fake news of more than 80 years ago and fake news now, the appetite to believe conspiracy theories and how they spread. The irony is that by having access to more information, as we do now - and did in 2016 - we should be better informed or at least less gullible.

Is the difference that there are more opportunities and means to exploit in modern times- and bigger gains in doing so?

There are also interesting parallels between the truth of someone sitting in their bedroom and publishing on the internet and what a journalist puts out - both are ultimately looking for a story angle that sells.

The War of the Worlds is a spirited whirlwind of a play that packs a lot into its running time. It means the ending feels a little overly extended as the different threads get tied up, but it is excellently performed by the ensemble, which is ably led by Talitha Christina.

I'm giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The War of the Worlds, Wilton's Music Hall

Created by Rhum + Clay and written with Isley Lynn

Directed by Hamish MacDougall and Julian Spooner

Cast: National Youth Theatre rep company

Running time: 2 hours, including an interval

Booking until 26 October 2024, for more information and to buy tickets visit the Wilton's Music Hall website.

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