Busted's and Fightstar's Charlie Simpson To Battle Martian Invasion As He Joins The War of the Worlds Tour 2025
Charlie Simpson follows in the footsteps of Gary Barlow, Brian McFadden, Marti Pellow and Justin Hayward as he joins Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds for the role of the Sung Thoughts of The Journalist
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https://myticket.co.uk/artists/jeff-wayne-s-the-war-of-the-worlds
The winner of The Masked Singer 2023, and renowned as a warrior of the pop industry with bandmates Fightstar and Busted, frontman Charlie Simpson* today announces that he'll be using his gravel-voiced pop vocals on his next mission to battle a Martian invasion, as he joins the cast of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds** The Spirit of Man Tour 2025. Other cast members are also announced as Anna-Marie Wayne steps up as Carrie (the Journalist's Fiancée), whilst Nathan James takes on the The Voice of Humanity.
Charlie will be playing the role of The Sung Thoughts of the Journalist, which has previously been performed by Gary Barlow (recorded), and on tour with Brian McFadden, Marti Pellow and Justin Hayward . Charlie, Anna-Marie and Nathan join an all-star cast alongside, Enter Shikari's Rou Reynold (The Artilleryman), The Wanted's Max George (Parson Nathaniel) and Maisie Smith (Beth, The Parson's Wife).
"When Jeff Wayne called to ask whether I wanted to perform the role of The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist in his next arena tour, I knew I had to rise to the challenge — who wouldn't want to battle against the Martians?" says Charlie. "The War of The Worlds is one of those iconic pieces of music that's become a building block in popular culture over the last forty-six years. I have vivid memories of listening to the album during my childhood, and I'm so thrilled that I get to sing 'The Eve of The War' and 'Forever Autumn' next year on arena stages across the country."
Jeff Wayne comments: "Since we began touring arenas in 2006 with my musical version of TWOTW, I've been so fortunate to have attracted a range of artists whose careers I've first admired, and then I discover they're keen to come on board our Martian adventure. In March 2025 when we hit the road, our cast will be full of distinction once again, and I'm happy that I can now announce our last new cast member - Charlie Simpson of Busted and Fightstar fame, who has both a wonderful voice and physical presence that will grace the stage in our coming The Spirit of Man tour as The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist."
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 Charlie Simpson including, Rou Reynolds, The Wanted's Max George and Maisie Smith (Eastenders & Strictly). 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')
* Charlie Simpson: Charlie Simpson is perhaps the only Artist to make the convincing transition from fresh-faced boy bander to authentic hard rock frontman. Shooting to fame in the punk-pop trio Busted in 2001, their debut years saw the band score four UK Number 1 singles, two million-selling albums, and two Brit Awards. In 2003, Simpson went on to form the post-hardcore quintet Fightstar (UK Top 10 - Paint Your Target) and in due course, begin work on an acoustic solo project. His debut solo album Young Pilgrim landed in the top 10 UK album charts, followed swiftly by a second UK top 10 album in 'Long Road Home'. 2023 was a huge year for Simpson, kicking off with a Masked Singer win as Rhino, and culminating with Busted's first UK Number 1 album - Greatest Hits 2.0 - and the biggest Arena tour of the year to celebrate. Busted head back on the road in 2025 going head to head with McFly in the 'Busted Vs McFly' UK & Ireland tour spanning 35 Arena's including 5 nights at London's O2 and a sold out Wembley show to boot.
**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 in arenas such as London's O2 and Manchester Arena. JWMVofTWOTW played an extended Season in 2016 of 86 shows at The Dominion Theatre in London's West End and released the best-selling 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, has now completed its 5thyear and has recently been extended for a further 2 years with an updated production being launched in July 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.