War of the Worlds Stage Show

Way back in December 2011 two seats were booked for the War of the Worlds Stage Show.  It was over twelve months into the future but I had promised myself that I would go one day.

Slowly the time came for us to go to see the show, we were excited but apprehensive at the same time.  Up until now Richard Burton was the voiceover but now the show had been labelled "The New Generation" and the voice over and holograms would be Liam Neesan.  I don't have a problem with this but in my opinion Liam was stepping into BIG shoes.  I knew that Marti Pellow - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marti_Pellow - was singing the main lead and I did not find him that strong a voice in  Blood Brothers so I was trying to keep an open mind.  Jason Donovan was also starring and I had no worries there having seen him in Joseph long ago.

The bright square in the centre is a
3D picture

We left home early so that we could have a meal out at the Boat before going to the NEC.
We had a lovely meal although the service was atrocious - non existent really - and the meal was generally overcooked but PJ's was fine.  As it wasn't really a good experience and we were very cold by then we decided to go to the show and wait there, it might be a bit warmer.

As we drove towards the car park on the NEC complex, we could not find any signs to the show so I had another look at the tickets only to find that the show was on at the NIA.  For those who do not know the NEC is on the outskirts of Birmingham and the NIA is smack bang in the centre!!!

This was not really a problem as it was only 18.30hrs and the show did not start until 20.00hrs.  We cut along the motorway but then hit such traffic ........... it felt as though the world and his wife were also travelling into Brum that night!        What should have taken 5 mins actually took an hour and a half!!  I kid you not!!  an hour and a half!!

And we were only at the show place, we still had to park.................. park?    what's that?!!      We finally reached the car park roof by 20.15hrs and then  ............. nothing .............. jammed ......... no-one can move .......... no places to park so no-one had anywhere to go!!
I phoned the ticket office and explained that we had been travelling since 18.30hrs and now were in the car park but it was ramjammed and nothing was moving - would we be able to get our money back as obviously there were still a lot of people to go to the show.  He rang the NIA and then came back to tell us there would be no refund.

I have waited one whole year to see this show!!!  I AM GOING IF I ONLY SEE THE LAST HALF HOUR!!!

A carpark attendant appeared and directed us out of the car park but we knew we would never find anywhere else to park ........ we tried the side roads but to no avail ......... then .......
we spotted where some cars and vans were parked in the middle of the road and there was one space left ......... we drove immediately towards it ......... yeah! we got it!!! 
We parked and started running walking fast (it was running for me!!) towards the NIA.

We got to our seats at 20.40 ..... well, we arrived at the row but there were no places ..................
we fetched the attendant who checked our tickets and said our seats were at the other end of the row ............
'where exactly?' 
'ahh! it looks like someone is in your seats'
Now, we have a man making everyone stand up so he can look at tickets, then he is leading two (I imagine very red faced) people out of the row and then lights the way for us to sit.  
It is now 20.55hrs and all the time the show is going on. 
 It is loud........... very loud. 
 It is dark ......... except when the alien machines cast their spotlights over the audience.
The alien machines are huge!!!

I think that in this photo (taken at the end of the show, it had been standing all through the show with legs extended down) you can see a guy on stage, just underneath the alien machine, the tiny guy ........ standing up .......... he is really.

Jeff Wayne was conducting the orchestra on the stage and the main characters acted out their scenes coming down the central stage.  This was also where the hologram of Liam Neeson appeared - to the left of the stage there was a big screen which showed him telling the story - amazing production!  



When the 'Autumn Leaves' song came on ......... tissue paper leaves fell onto the audience!  

Had to collect some at the end, not just as souvenirs - free - but I'm a card maker and I recycle!!  lol

We managed to get a programme - very glossy and good!

I would show you more but Blogger has tipped the photos on their side !  hrrrrmph!




We waited after the show until the people cleared a bit and then made our way back to the car, it was raining quite heavily now so I was glad it was not parked too far away.  We both agreed it was worth all the hassle but it also taught us a valuable lesson - CHECK THE VENUE AND TIME BEFORE SETTING OUT!!!

Oh! by the way .............. did I mention that when we got back to the car ................. there was a parking ticket stuck to the windscreen .................... yeah! ............... 10mins after we had arrived!