The War of the Worlds
Halloween shows at the Elmwood playhouse became a staple for a few years. Monies were raised for various organisations including the theatre itself.
The next project to undergo the ‘Nasty Attic’ treatment was the famous “The War of the Worlds“. Performed by The Mercury Theatre on the Air directed and narrated by Orson Welles. It was an adaptation of H. G. Wells‘s novel and broadcast live as a Halloween episode October 30, 1938. The novel was adapted for radio by Howard Koch, who changed the primary setting from 19th-century England to the 1930’s with the landing point of the first Martian spacecraft becoming the United States, Grover’s Mill in New Jersey. The episode became infamous for causing panic among its listening audience. So, how could I resist? I as always when adapting a story looked at as many sources as I could. Which had increased since Welles’ time to include a movie and a musical by Jeff Wayne. I poured over these newer ones as well as the book by H.G. Wells, adding scenes and dialogue into the ‘Koch’ script. The original radio production had a wonderful trick built into it. The broadcast had been presented as a typical evening of radio with a performance by “Ramon Raquello and his Orchestra” from a local hotel ballroom. After a few minutes, the music began to be interrupted by several news flashes about strange gas explosions on Mars. This live feel was continued with the Orchestra playing songs and more news coming in. Until the concert is abandoned and the mysterious happenings being reported takes over. In order to maintain this ‘live feel’ I recruited Neil Berg and his lady Rita Harvey who were long time friends of the Playhouse to come and be the musical element.
