From H.G. Wells’ sci-fi novel and Orson Welles’ 1938 radio drama to a performance at Wilton’s Music Hall, Rhum and Clay’s reimagined ‘The War of the Worlds’ by the National Youth Theatre builds suspense when it is discovered that nothing is as it seems. Written by Isley Lynn, the play beautifully reinvented this classic into a relatable and transforming experience for a modern audience.
‘The War of the Worlds’ effectively transported the audience into a journey through time and space, the choice of Wilton’s Music Hall was pertinent this and deliberately highlighted the initial setting of 1938 effortlessly. The faded wallpaper and the architecture dating back to the 1960s made this venue perfect for this performance.
Upon entrance we were welcomed by the embrace of reminiscent music and the faint glow of the radio light which conjured up a sensation of anticipation while the audience was filled with excited chatter.
Who would have known that a radio broadcast could cause so much terror? The play itself is based on the national panic created in Orson Welles’ radio broadcast when CBS vividly described a Martian invasion. We are brought back to the modern day and begin to follow the journey of Meena (Talitha Christina), a podcaster who aims to uncover what she thought was a simple story in an American town. She soon discovers that this story in particular has no individual protagonist, in fact, everything is built upon lies.
Meena places herself at the forefront of retelling the story of Margaret, a woman who was abandoned by her family due to the widescale fear caused by the broadcast.
Directed by Hamish Macdougall and Julian Spooner, the production brilliantly utilised the entire stage which engaged the audience, directly placing them in the centre of it all. The show takes a light approach to the heavy topic with effective space for humour and understanding of the characters. The creative direction was simplistic yet incredibly effective. Set and costume designer Bethany Wells’ decision to incorporate microphones is incredibly reminiscent of a recording studio and the lightweight background is smartly transformed into different locations with projections. This allowed the actors, who portrayed a range of different characters, to navigate their roles effectively.
Sound designer Benjamin Grant and sound engineer Jasmine Fuller worked together and used radio noises, news backgrounds and the occasional sirens to manipulate the atmosphere and immerse the audience into the story. These sounds were accompanied by the unexpected flashing lights by lighting designers Pete Maxey and Nick Flintoff. This creativity matched the arguably fast-paced nature of the play which perfectly reflects the speed that inaccurate news is spread and believed within modern society.
The play draws clear parallels between the rapid emergence of fake news particularly referring to the 2016 Presidential election, we explicitly see how these events and accounts of news are automatically viewed as factual and immediately formulate our ideas. From CBS to Sky News, the rise of the internet has replaced the radio, yet fake news still generates an audience as it is automatic to gravitate to what is interesting. In modern society, fake news is widely accessible and is ‘remaking the world’ simply by ‘giving the people what they want’. This adaptation clearly resonates with the audience by allowing them to really understand the unknowing influence of media.
The NYT REP Company fantastically shifts between the troubled citizens in 1938 to the controlled and internet obsessed nature of the 21st century, it depicts our society as completely and utterly immersed in the news and media.
The War of the Worlds was truly a wake-up call and a definite watch. It shed light to the subconscious decisions made in the media and how easy it can be to believe and react to news. The actors were incredible and performed every role effectively, never breaking character.
Need to know: War of the Worlds plays at Wilton’s Music Hall until 26 Oct 2024
