GNS Presents: The War of the Worlds

The Glenlyon Norfolk School Theatre Company is excited to present a captivating reimagining of H.G. Wells’ classic tale, The War of the Worlds, adapted for the stage by Isley Lynn. Set against the backdrop of the 2016 US election, this innovative production draws inspiration from both Wells’ original novel and Orson Welles’ infamous 1938 radio broadcast. 

By cleverly paralleling the Martian invasion narrative with contemporary concerns about fake news and alternative facts, the play explores how the spread of misinformation in the digital age echoes the panic and confusion depicted in Wells’ classic tale. This thrilling production blends traditional stagecraft with modern multimedia elements to examine how media shapes public perception and blurs the lines between fact and fiction.

“Our production of The War of the Worlds provides students with the opportunity to explore unconventional staging techniques, multi-role performances, and a blend of direct audience address, naturalistic scene work, and movement-based storytelling. The story provides us with a rich opportunity to reflect on history, and how our complex and evolving relationship with technology and information continues to influence us today,” says director, Adrienne Smook. “These dedicated young performers have been building skills in new performance styles and exploring the powerful ways theatre encourages us to examine our world.”

Join us at Denford Hall from November 27 to November 30, 2024, for this thought-provoking theatrical experience that invites audiences to reflect on the nature of truth and the power of narrative in today’s media landscape. Performances run at 7 p.m. Thursday to Friday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.