Jeff Wayne re-imagines War Of The Worlds with Gary Barlow and Liam Neeson

8 November 2012, 12:28 | Updated: 8 November 2012, 12:34

Classic FM speaks to Jeff Wayne about the latest incarnation of his musical version of H.G. Wells' War Of The Worlds, featuring Gary Barlow and Liam Neeson.

No-one would have believed in the late 1970s that a rock opera concept album based on a Victorian novel about a Martian invasion would still be being performed over 30 years later. But composer, arranger, conductor and performer Jeff Wayne's musical version of H.G. Wells' War Of The Worlds is about to be born again.

Featuring a cast of actors and singers including Liam Neeson, Gary Barlow, Ricky Wilson from The Kaiser Chiefs, Joss Stone and Maverick Sabre, The New Generation incorporates new music, new artists and an astonishing stage show to go with it.

Jeff Wayne spoke to Classic FM's Jamie Crick about the original 1978 recording and how it's been updated to what you hear today. As Wayne himself says: "As a musician I could re-interpret it… I felt that I could tick all the boxes when I asked myself, 'Is there a valid re-imagination of this recording?'"

War Of The Worlds: The New Generation is released on November 26th, and you can find information about the spectacular live show here.

Listen to the interview below.