The War of the Worlds was a landmark science fiction novel by H.G. Wells that explored themes of alien invasion, technological superiority, and the fragility of human civilization. Wells's vivid descriptions and realistic portrayal of societal collapse created a chilling and compelling narrative. The novel's enduring popularity lay in its ability to tap into primal fears of the unknown and the potential for humanity's destruction.
On October 30th, 1938, Mercury Theatre on the Air broadcast an adaptation of Wells's novel that had been scripted by Howard E. Koch, co-writer of the film Casablanca.
This production uses the original 1938 radio script with notes and changes to the script marked by the broadcast's narrator Orson Welles. Director, Helen Griffin, has incorporated live stage characters to enhance the experience and to help you visualise the terror and destruction wrought by the invaders.