In December 2012, the NIA’s stage will be coming alive with The War of the Worlds as Jeff Wayne brings his new musical version, ‘The New Generation’, to the Birmingham-based venue, with a new, very special guest narrator: Liam Neeson and fantastic cast, including Ricky Wilson from the Kaiser Chiefs, Wicked’s Kerry Ellis and Jason Donovan as Parson Nathaniel, the disturbed holy man driven to insanity by the Martian invasion of Earth.

The musical spectacular is a new interpretation of Jeff Wayne’s 1978 concept album which tells the classic story of ‘The War of the Worlds’ by HG Wells. The arena show will feature CGI graphics, a live orchestra and performers. Ricky Wilson, who is fresh from a world tour with the Kaiser Chiefs will be taking on his first ever performance role as The Artilleryman. Kerry Ellis, winner of What’s On Stage’s Award for Best Solo performance, will be playing the role of Beth. The narration will be provided by Liam Neeson who will appear in the show as an 11-foot high holographic head and shoulders as well as a full body holographic, which will interact with performers in the show; this is the first time this has ever been seen within live entertainment in the world.