The War of the Worlds

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HG Wells

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1. The Making of Kipps

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 The War of the Worlds

Blake Ritson

Samuel James

John Dougall

Sanchia McCormack

Carl Prekopp

David Sterne

Maeve Bluebell Wells

Finlay Robertson

Nick Murchie

Sarah Ridgeway

Georgie Glen

John Bowler

David Sturzaker

Melissa Murray

Marc Beeby

HG Wells: The War of the Worlds: Part 1

Drama

Part 1 BBC Radio 4 Extra - HG Wells, The War of the Worlds, Part 1

HG Wells's story of the brutal Martian invasion of Earth.

4 Extra Debut. Following strange sightings on the surface of Mars, martian ships arrive on Earth and mercilessly invade. Starring Blake Ritson.

Following sightings of strange explosions on the surface of Mars, Martian ships begin to arrive on Earth. But scientific excitement quickly turns to horror - and a merciless invasion begins. 

At the time of the novel's writing by HG Wells (first published in 1898), Britain had never been stronger, but a sense of moral queasiness at the methods used in Empire building was growing. 

Melissa Murray's dramatisation highlights the questions Wells poses: What if we were the colonised? How would we fare if a vastly superior technological invader attacked us? How would we behave? 

This dramatisation also reflects Wells' depiction of late Victorian suburban life and culture, making its domestic heart a poignant and terrifying starting point for an invasion by Martians with their own imperialist agenda, and reflecting the common fear which had emerged in the years approaching the turn of the century - that the apocalypse would come on the last day of 1899.

Robert …. Blake Ritson
Curate …. Carl Prekopp
Telegraph …. David Sturzaker
Vicar …. Finlay Robertson
Farm Woman …. Georgie  Glen
Constable …. John Bowler
Ogilvy …. John Dougall
Dora …. Maeve Bluebell Wells
Doctor …. David Sterne
Carswell …. Nick Murchie
Billy …. Samuel James
Margaret …. Sanchia McCormack
Woman 1 …. Sarah Ridgeway

Director:  Marc Beeby

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.

HG Wells: The War of the Worlds

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HG Wells's story of a brutal Martian invasion of Earth, dramatised by Melissa Murray.

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