Press Release:Embargoed until 09:00 GMT Monday 15 April 2024
Announcement: Max George & Maisie Smith Confirmed To Play Parson Nathaniel & Beth In Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds
Love blossomed on Strictly, now Max & Maisie become the first ever real-life couple to play married pair in iconic musical
"Max & Maisie ....I'm delighted they've joined the Spirit of Man Tour 2025 as husband & wife" -Jeff Wayne
Tickets on sale now
https://myticket.co.uk/artists/jeff-wayne-s-the-war-of-the-worlds
The Wanted's Max George and ex-Eastender's Maisie Smith, met and fell in love on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, now they'll be playing the married couple Parson Nathaniel & wife Beth, in the iconic Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds ‘The Spirit of Man' arena tour in 2025. The announcement unleashes a series of ‘firsts', as we hear Maisie sing for the first time, Max act for the first time - as well as this being a monumental first for The War of The Worlds, as Jeff Wayne casts a real-life couple into this marriage of Nathaniel and Beth. The role of Nathaniel has previously been played by Jason Donovan and Blue's Duncan James, whilst Steps' Claire Richards and singer Kerry Ellis have filled the past roles of Beth in early Jeff Wayne live productions of TWOTW.
"The moment I met Max & Maisie I knew they were the perfect fit for the role of Nathaniel and Beth," says Jeff Wayne. "Maisie has such a melodic but powerful voice, which compliments Max's dramatic vocals wonderfully. Plus, being a couple in real life will add to their on-stage charisma and chemistry, and I'm delighted they've joined the 2025 The Spirit of Man Tour as husband and wife."
"I am thrilled to announce my involvement in the iconic show that is Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds. This is a particularly special role for me because I grew up listening to the soundtrack on my dad's vinyl. My family are HUGE fans of the show so telling them I was going to be playing Beth was a very memorable moment," Maisie Smith.
"I'm absolutely buzzing to be a part of Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds. It's a show I've always been a fan of and was introduced to the music when I was five. My mum absolutely loves it. Playing the part of Parson Nathaniel is gonna be really special. I've got big shoes to fill with the likes of Phil Lynott and Jason Donovan playing the roles in the past, but I'm looking forward to making this role my own," says Max George.
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds is back with a monumental new 17-date (19 shows) UK and Ireland arena tour, arriving just in time to celebrate 130 years since the publicationof HG WELLS' darkVictorian tale. Conducted by Jeff Wayne and featuring Liam Neeson in 3D holography as The Journalist, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898.
The tour will feature an exciting new cast to star alongside Max George and Maisie Smith - further namestobe announced over the coming months. One of the most trailblazing arena tours of all time, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds (TWOTW) ‘The Spirit of Man Tour'returns with a musical spectacular like none other, with the production remaining a favourite to millions around the world, exciting audiences of all ages.
In 2006, TWOTW was already considered a cutting-edge production with six trucks filled to the brim. By 2025, marking 19 years of live touring, the production will be up to 12 trucks, with a host of new ingredients and special effects to challenge and excite the senses..
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds - a musical experiencenot to be missed.
Tickets on sale now
https://myticket.co.uk/artists/jeff-wayne-s-the-war-of-the-worlds
Dates Include:
Fri 28 March. Hull Connexin Live
Sun 30March. 3Arena Dublin, Ireland
Tue 1 April Aberdeen P&J Live
Wed 02 April. Glasgow OVO Hydro
Thu 03 April. Leeds First Direct Arena
Sat 05 April. Newcastle Utilita Arena
Sun 06 April. Manchester Co-op Live
Tue 08 April. Sheffield Utilita Arena
Wed 09 April. Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
Thu 10 April. Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Sat 12 April. Brighton Centre - matinee & evening
Sun 13 April. Bournemouth Int Centre
Mon 14 April. Bournemouth Int Centre
Wed 16 April. Cardiff Utilitia Arena
Thu 17 April. Cardiff Utilita Arena
Fri 18 April. Birmingham Resorts World Arena
Sun 20 April. London The O2 - matinee & evening
IMPORTANT NOTE: MUST ALWAYS BEWRITTENTheWar Of The Worlds(always includeTheat the beginning)
For more information:
https://thewaroftheworlds.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thewaroftheworlds
https://twitter.com/twotwofficial
https://www.instagram.com/twotw_official/
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
Based upon the classic science fiction story by HG Wells
Adapted by Doreen Wayne
Composed, arranged, conducted and produced by
Jeff Wayne
Lyrics by
Gary Osborne (‘Thunder Child', ‘The Spirit of Man', and ‘Brave New World'
Paul Vigrass and Gary Osborne (‘Forever Autumn')
Jeff Wayne (‘The Eve of The War' and ‘Life Begins Again')
The War of The Worlds:Jeff Wayne's musical version of HG Wells' classic novel ‘The War of The Worlds' is one of the best-selling musical works of all time. To date it has sold over 16 million records around the world and has been adapted into several foreign language versions. It has charted in no less than 22 countries, been number 1 in 11 of them and achieved gold or platinum status in all but 5, including 13 times platinum in the UK, 13 times platinum in Australia and 14 times platinum in New Zealand. The double album was re-imagined in 2012, called ‘JWMVofTWOTW: The New Generation' and featured Liam Neeson, Take That's Gary Barlow, Joss Stone, Kaiser Chief's Ricky Wilson and others. The musical work has toured globally since 2006 performing arenas such as London's O2 and Manchester Arena. JWMVofTWOTW played an extended Season in 2016 of 86 shows at The Dominion Theatre, London's West End and released an Audible Original Musical Drama starring Michael Sheen, Taron Egerton, Theo James and Adrian Edmondson in 2018. A multi-award-winning Immersive Experience, originally booked for a 3-month season, is now coming to the end of its 5thyear and has recently been extended for a further 2 years with an updated version set for February 2024.
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of TWOTW - The Immersive Experience features VR, AR, holographic performances and live actors, all set to Jeff's iconic work.