Jeff Wayne cannot wait to return to the ‘great and vibrant’ city of Glasgow for his production of The War of the Worlds next year.

The renowned musician, composer and lyricist spoke to the Glasgow Times as he is set to bring the famous musical experience to the OVO Hydro on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Glasgow Times:

Though the New York born star has brought the production to arenas around the world since 2006 – there is just something about Glasgow that gets the 80-year-old going.

Jeff said: “Glasgow is a great city.

“It has a vibrancy on so many different levels and I’m always so keen to come back and spend a bit of downtime.

“We played the Armadillo when we first started out and now that the production has grown, we are in the OVO Hydro.

“I love the Hydro; I think its acoustics and presentation are just great.”

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The production is a musical version of H.G Well’s novel of the same name – which chronicles the events of a Martian invasion as experienced by an unidentified male narrator and his brother. 

Previous shows have featured the likes of CGI footage, pyrotechnics, special effects, and a model fighting machine – all alongside a stellar cast and live orchestra.

So, what can first-time seers as well as long-time frequenters expect from the new instalment?

Jeff revealed: “We’ve been working on new concepts and with new technology.

“I always felt that I would never do the same production twice and I’ve stayed true to that. With each tour, the show has grown in one form or the other. Technology, for example, keeps changing so there are some exciting opportunities and concepts that have come along that haven’t been there before.

“Anyone who comes to see the show in 2025 – whether they’re new or are returning – my fingers are always crossed that they will have a great night out and will think the performance is worth the price they paid for the ticket.

“On the production side, we’re going to be in great shape, and we just need to make the cast come together.

“I feel very excited.”

Glasgow Times:

Though casting is in the primary stages, it can be revealed that the show will feature Liam Neeson in 3D holography as he takes on the main role of The Journalist (who recounts his story of survival from a Martian invasion in 1898).

The show comes after the release of the studio album, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, which was released in 1978 after Jeff read Well’s Novel for the first time in 1975.

Though the novel was released way back when in 1897, Jeff insists that the story is as relevant today as it has ever been.

He explained: “The places and people in Well’s story are very real and believable, and the underlying theme was taking a pop at any invader. Wells wanted to say that any nation or tribe or people that want to take away lives from others was wrong and I like that.

“In addition to that, the story is about faith and hope – look at the world today, it’s probably more relevant today than it ever was, and I first read it back in 1975.

“That’s why I’ve stayed with it for so long – because the core themes are so real, and I remain so touched by what Wells wrote. I guess, that’s why I’m talking to you about it all these years later.”

Glasgow Times:

Tickets are still available for Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds live tour.

Alongside Glasgow, the production will also visit arenas in the likes of Aberdeen and London. 

To purchase tickets, click HERE