The War of the Worlds Anniversary Broadcast

The comedy duo David Innes & Rob Lloyd, accompanied by the musical talents of Caleb Garfinkel, pay homage to the classic sci-fi novel War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. There is more than a passing interest in this story and the show centres around how the text has impacted their lives and entered our cultural imagination.

Innes Lloyd’s well-known passion for sci-fi literature and culture is further indulged in this show. They blend the original story with the infamous Orson Welles radio play version, which allegedly terrorised US audiences when first performed in 1938. The show celebrates the anniversary of Welles’s radio play by also incorporating Jeff Wayne’s 1978 musical interpretation of the text.

The performance is structured as though it were a radio show, and this adds a unique quality to this theatrical version. The script is tight and extremely informative, although often at its best when the performers are in character or ad-libbing. Garfinkel, a highly accomplished musician, brings Wayne’s music beautifully to life, however, his vocals required time to warm up to successfully hit the right notes.

David Innes bears a striking resemblance to Orson Welles and delivers some masterful impersonations of the actor’s majestic and imposing presence. This show is an enjoyable opportunity to marvel at a continued cultural fascination with the frightening prospects of a story about an invasion from Mars.

Patricia Di Risio