40 years after its initial stage production, the latest run of War of the Worlds caused composer Jeff Wayne to completely rework the soundtrack for virtual reality (VR).
“I’ve always been fascinated by electronics and all the analogue synthesizers and digital technology, so to work in this world is just like another dimension,” Wayne told the BBC. “I’ve had to take existing compositions, add new compositions, new sound design, to work in the framework of the way this show is unfolding.”
As we wrote back in March, the experience will combine immersive theatre, VR, augmented reality (AR), holograms, and other emerging technology, with both virtual and physical actors guiding audience members through locations from the classic story. dotdotdot [sic], the production company putting on the show, promises to bring “a new and unique experience to each guest” during the nearly two hour run time of each show.
As to why the story remains popular over a century after its first publication, Wayne had this to say: “I think these are things that never seem to go away in our history. In its heart, in its soul, it’s about certain key things, which is survival, religion, whatever religion you subscribe to or not, and faith. So I think the core of it is about reality, it’s not just about fantasy.”
